Copper-catalyzed one-pot N-alkenylation and N-alkylation of amides: an efficient synthesis of substituted 2,3-dihydropyrroles

A novel copper-catalyzed synthesis of substituted 2,3-dihydropyrroles via one-pot N-alkenylation and N-alkylation of amides with 1,4-diiodobut-1-ene derivatives has been developed. The reactions proceed in good to high yields using CuI as the catalyst, K2CO3 as the base, and rac-trans-N,N′-dimethylcyclohexane-1,2-diamine as the ligand.