A Direct Phosphine-Mediated Synthesis of Pyrroles from Acid Chlorides and α,β-Unsaturated Imines

A one-step method to assemble pyrroles from alpha,beta-unsaturated imines and acid chlorides has been developed. This reaction is mediated by triphenylphosphine, which eliminates phosphine oxide to allow cyclization. This reaction has been employed to access a diverse range of pyrroles via modulation of the two building blocks and applied as well to the synthesis of lukianol A.