The Synthesis of Multisubstituted Pyrroles via a Copper-Catalyzed Tandem Three-Component Reaction.

An unprecedented nucleophilic addition/cyclization/aromatization cascade of basic chemicals, i.e., aromatic alkenes/alkynes, trimethylsilyl cyanide and N,N-disubstituted formamide, has been developed to give a series of multisubstituted pyrroles in moderate to good yields with high regioselectivities. This reaction not only reveals a new reaction mode for α-aminonitriles, but also provides a new and efficient cyclization pattern for the synthesis of multisubstituted pyrroles as well as their derivatives, which might facilitate related biological studies.