Synthesis of highly substituted pyrroles using ultrasound in aqueous media

A two-step protocol for the synthesis of highly substituted pyrroles in aqueous media and without catalyst is described. The first step is the dimerization of a 1,3-dicarbonyl compound by ceric ammonium nitrate/ultrasound to produce a tetracarbonyl derivative. This derivative is then combined with an amine in the absence of any catalysts to obtain the pyrrole via a Paal–Knorr reaction. This route is an improvement when compared with classical methodologies toward Green Chemistry objectives.