A facile route to pyrroles, isoindoles and hetero fused analogues

Enamino acids derived from 1,2-dimethylaminomethylene- or 1,2-hydroxymethylene-carbonyl compounds and amino acids undergo a decarboxylative cyclisation to pyrroles, isoindoles and other fused pyrroles. A two atom ring expansion occurs preferentially with enamino acids from cyclohexane-1,3-diones and α-alkyl-α-amino acids leading to oxocino[2,3-c]pyrroles.