Copper-mediated cross-coupling–cyclization–oxidation: a one-pot reaction to construct polysubstituted pyrroles

A novel and efficient procedure for the synthesis of polysubstituted pyrroles has been developed in this work. The polysubsituted pyrroles were synthesized directly from terminal alkenes, amines and β-keto esters through cross-coupling-cyclization-oxidation in the presence of a catalytic amount of cuprous chloride. This method provides a one-pot synthesis route from terminal alkenes to polysubstituted pyrroles for the first time and opens a new area in cuprous catalysis.