Synthesis of 5-aryl-2-oxopyrrole derivatives as synthons for highly substituted pyrroles

A small library of 2-oxo-5-(hetero)arylpyrroles was prepared starting from 2,3-dioxo-5-(hetero)arylpyrrolidines. The large synthetic possibilities of these 2-oxopyrroles were investigated. The 2-oxopyrroles offer a large number of possible derivatizations including reactions with electrophiles. The chloroformylation of 2-oxo-5-(hetero)arylpyrroles provides pyrrole carbaldehydes. Some pyrrole carbaldehydes were used to synthesize polycyclic compounds like pyrrolo[3,4-d]pyridazinones, a thienopyrrole, apyrrolobenz[1,4]oxazepine, a pyrrolobenzo[1,4]thiazepine, and a pyrrolobenzo[1,4]diazepine. Hereby we showed through a short exploration that the oxopyrroles and analogues are interesting and versatile synthetic building blocks. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.