Highly regioselective radical alkylation of 3-substituted pyrroles

It is reported that the intermolecular oxidative radical substitution on 3-substituted pyrroles gives the 2,3-disubstituted pyrroles in a highly regioselective manner. This behavior is explained on the basis of the relative stabilities of the intermediate radicals formed in the process. The methodology reported herein represents a direct entry into 2,3-disubstituted pyrroles, which might be used to construct more complex molecules.