A facile rhodium-catalyzed tandem reaction of two molecules of acrylates with two molecules of 2phenylpyridines involving sequential CÀ H activation, Michael addition, [12 + 2] cycloaddition and oxidative aromatization has been described. A series of indolizino [3,4,5-ab] isoindole compounds were efficiently afforded in good yields by the formation of two CÀ C bonds, two C=C bonds and one CÀ N bond.