Suzuki-miyaura cross-coupling approach to 3,4-diaryl-3-pyrrolin-2-ones from tetramic acid triflates

A three-step approach to 4-aryl-3-phenyl-3-pyrrolin-2ones from a readily available tetramic acid is described. The introduction of different aryl groups to the 4-position of the ring system was accomplished utilizing Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reactions of the corresponding tetramic acid triflate. This strategy was successfully employed in the first synthesis of the NH lactam analogue of rofecoxib.