Rhodium complex-catalyzed reaction of isonitriles with carbonyl compounds: Catalytic synthesis of pyrroles

[GRAPHICS] Low-valent rhodium complexes are efficient catalysts for the activation of alpha -C-H bond of isonitriles. Addition of isonitriles to carbonyl compounds proceeds under mild and neutral conditions to give the corresponding alpha,beta -unsaturated formamides. Catalytic synthesis of pyrroles can be performed by cyclocondensation of isonitriles with 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds.