Modular Access to Tetrasubstituted N−H Pyrroles by Catalytic 1,3‐Dipolar Cycloaddition of Azomethine Ylides and α,β‐Ynones

The development of efficient synthetic strategies for the preparation of tetrasubstituted N−H pyrrole derivatives, especially in an environmentally benign fashion is important yet challenging. Herein, we report a copper(II)‐catalyzed tandem reaction involving 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition of α,β‐ynones and glycine iminoesters, followed by copper(II)‐promoted oxidative (air) dehydrogenative aromatization, allowing de novo access to tetrasubstituted N−H pyrroles in up to 81 % yield under green reaction conditions. A possible reaction pathway is tentatively proposed. Finally, fully substituted pyrroles are available by N‐alkylation, and a preliminary phase‐transfer catalytic asymmetric N‐alkylation was also studied to give an axially chiral pyrrole.