Highly efficient syntheses of α-amino ketones and pentasubstituted pyrroles using reusable heterogeneous catalysts

Convenient and environmentally benign methods for the syntheses of alpha-amino ketones and pentasubstituted pyrrole derivatives are reported. Initially, alpha-amino ketones are prepared from the reaction of benzoin derivatives and aromatic amines using a catalytic amount of silica tungstic acid. Next, the alpha-amino ketones synthesized are reacted with dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate in the presence of silica sodium carbonate as a new solid basic catalyst to form the corresponding pyrrole derivatives. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.