A one-pot synthesis and mild cleavage of 2-[2- or 5-(alkylsulfanyl)pyrrol-1-yl]ethyl vinyl ethers by t-BuOK/DMSO: a novel and facile approach to N-vinylpyrroles

Substituted N-[2-(vinyloxy)ethyl]pyrroles, prepared in good yield through an allenic or acetylenic carbanion/isothiocyanate one-pot methodology from 2-(vinyloxy)ethyl isothiocyanate and allyloxyallene, methoxyallene, N,N-dimethyl-2-propyn-1-amine, and 3-methoxy-1-(methylsulfanyl)-1-propyne, are smoothly converted into the corresponding N-vinylpyrroles using t-BuOK/DMSO (room temperature). The reaction proceeds via elimination of vinyl alcohol from the N-[2-(vinyloxy)ethyl] substituent and represents a novel approach to N-vinylpyrroles.