A convenient approach to the synthesis of 2-(2-aminoethyl)pyrroles and their heterocyclization into hydrogenated pyrrolopyridines and related pyrroloindolizines

2-(2-Aminoethyl)pyrroles and 2-(2-succinimidoethyl)pyrroles were prepared from acetals of ethyl 4-oxoalkanoates via latent vinyl 1,4-dicarbonyl compounds as the key intermediates. The Pictet–Spengler condensation of 2-(2-aminoethyl)pyrroles with aromatic aldehydes gave 4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-pyrrolo[3,2-c]pyridines in good yields. 4,5,7,8,9,9a-Hexahydro-3H-pyrrolo[2,3-g]indolizines were prepared in a similar way starting from 2-(2-succinimidoethyl)pyrroles.