Direct Synthesis of Pyrroles by Dehydrogenative Coupling of Diols and Amines Catalyzed by Cobalt Pincer Complexes.

Herein, the first example of base-metal-catalyzed dehydrogenative coupling of diols and amines to selectively form functionalized 1,2,5-substituted pyrroles liberating water and hydrogen gas as the sole by-products is presented. The reaction is catalyzed by pincer complexes of earth-abundant cobalt.