Synthesis of 1-Pyrroline by Denitrogenative Ring Expansion of Cyclobutyl Azides under Thermal Conditions

We herein report an efficient and systematic synthesis of 1-pyrrolines from cyclobutyl azides under thermal and neutral conditions. The reaction proceeded without any additional reagents, and nitrogen was generated as the sole by-product. Furthermore, the generated 1-pyrrolines could be continuously transformed into pyrroles, N-Boc-amines, and oxaziridines in an one-pot manner.

Automated summary

An efficient and systematic synthesis of 1-pyrrolines from cyclobutyl azides under thermal and neutral conditions is reported. The reaction generates nitrogen as the sole by-product and the 1-pyrrolines can be further transformed into other compounds in one-pot manner.