An Efficient Pyrrole Synthesis via Silaphenylmercuric Triflate Catalyzed Cyclization of Homopropargyl Azides

A mixture of phenylmercuric acetate and trifluoromethanesulfonic acid or silica gel supported phenylmercuric trifluoromethanesulfonate (silaphenyl mercuric triflate) efficiently catalyzed the formation of pyrroles from homopropargyl azide derivatives. The reactions proceed using 20 mol% of the heterogeneous catalyst with yields of isolated pyrroles ranging from 74% to 99%.