Copper-catalyzed transformation of carbonyl-ene-nitrile compounds: Vinylation, imino ene reaction, and alkynylation of 2-aza-2,4-cyclopentadienone intermediates generated via Ritter-type hydratrion and dehydrative cyclization reactions

1H-pyrrolin-2(5H)-one derivatives are easily obtained from carbonyl-ene-nitrile compounds and alkenes or alklynes by copper(II)-catalyzed tandem sequence involving vinylation or allylation as well as Ritter-type hydration and dehydrative cyclization. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.