Ruthenium-catalyzed aerobic oxidative coupling of alkynes with 2-aryl-substituted pyrroles

Ruthenium-catalyzed aerobic oxidative annulations of alkynes were accomplished with co-catalytic amounts of Cu(OAc)(2)center dot H2O under ambient air. The C-H/N-H bond functionalization occurred with unparalleled selectivities and ample scope to deliver structural analogs of bioactive marine alkaloids.