Asymmetric Friedel-Crafts alkylation of pyrroles with nitroalkenes using a dinuclear zinc catalyst

The catalytic enantioselective and atom economic Friedel-Crafts alkylation of pyrroles with nitroalkenes under mild reaction conditions using a dinuclear zinc catalyst is reported. The versatility of the reaction is demonstrated by the conversion of a number of differentially substituted nitroalkenes with differentially substituted pyrroles. Tandem addition reactions to form 2,5-disubstituted pyrroles are also demsonstrated. All pyrrole alkylations have been carried out without using N-protecting groups, which also enhances the efficiency by which substituted pyrroles may be synthesized. The reactions result in good yields and excellent enantioselectivities.