An expedient synthesis of poly-substituted pyrroles from γ-ketonitriles via indium-mediated Barbier reaction strategy

We developed an efficient synthetic strategy of poly-substituted pyrroles via an indium-mediated Barbier type allylation from γ-ketonitriles. Initial attack of allylindium species occurred at the nitrile group selectively to form the enamine intermediate, which reacted with the ketone group intramolecularly to furnish the pyrroles.