One-pot synthesis of pyrrole derivatives from (E)-1,4-diaryl-2-butene-1,4-diones

2,5-Di- and 1,2,5-trisubstituted pyrrole derivatives can be prepared conveniently from (E)-1,4-diaryl-2-butene-1,4-diones in a one-pot operation through domino-pathways via palladium-assisted transfer hydrogenation followed by a Paal–Knorr reaction using ammonium formate and its analogs.