Synthesis of 5-alkylidene-2,5-dihydropyrrol-2-ones based on cyclizations of 1,3-bis(trimethylsilyloxy)-1,3-butadienes with oxalyl chloride

The acid-mediated reaction of amines with γ-alkylidenebutenolides, readily available by cyclization of 1,3-bis(silyloxy)-1,3-butadienes with oxalyl chloride, allows a convenient synthesis of a variety of 5-alkylidene-2,5-dihydropyrrol-2-ones. The configuration of the exocyclic double bond of the products depends on the substitution pattern of the products.