Copper-Catalyzed Oxidative Cyclization/1,2-Amino Migration Cascade Reaction.

A novel and efficient copper-catalyzed tandem oxidative cyclization/1,2-amino migration of readily available enamino esters for the synthesis of substituted pyrroles has been developed. In this reaction, one C-N bond was cleaved, and two new C-N bonds and one C(sp2)-C(sp2) bond were constructed in one pot. This catalytic system has the obvious advantages of mild reaction conditions and the use of oxygen as the oxidant. The reaction tolerates a wide range of functional groups and is a reliable method for the straightforward synthesis of valuable aminomethyl-substituted pyrroles in good yields.