Synthesis of Indolizines by Dimerization of N-Propargylated Pyrroles Via Allene Intermediates

Abstract

Ten different N-propargyl pyrrole derivatives having various substituents at the C-2 position were synthesized. These derivatives were converted into indolizine derivatives by the [2+2] cycloaddition reaction of pyrrole N-allene, forming in situ, by heating in PrOH in basic medium. The structures were characterized by NMR and X-ray crystallography. The N-propargylated derivatives smoothly underwent intermolecular cyclizations to produce indolizine derivatives in good yields. We proposed a radical mechanism for the dimerization. Reaction of an allene product with butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), a radical scavenger, did not give any dimerization product. This result supports the radical reaction.