Efficient synthesis of aza-heterocycles by a domino process using an inter- and an intramolecular Heck reaction

The palladium-catalyzed regioselective intermolecular Heck reaction of (Z)-2-(2-bromoethenyl)bromobenzene 6 and the cyclic enamide 9 gives 5 and 8 in an overall yield of 63%. Intramolecular Heck of 5 and 8, respectively leads to the tricyclic compounds 4 and 7, in 78% and 70% yields, respectively, which belong to two different classes of heterocyclic systems. The transformation can also be carried out as a domino process without isolation of the intermediates 5 and 8