[1+1+3] Annulation of Diazoenals and Vinyl Azides: Direct Synthesis of Functionalized 1-Pyrrolines through Olefination.

A dirhodium carboxylate catalyzed [1+1+3] annulation reaction of diazoenals and vinyl azides that gives synthetically important enal-functionalized 1-pyrroline derivatives was developed. The reaction involves a novel rhodium-catalyzed olefination of diazoenals with vinyl azides via electrophilic enal carbenoids, resulting in a new class of enal acrylates. The annulation reaction was used for the direct synthesis of valuable deuterated 1-pyrrolines. Structural diversification of the enal-functionalized 1-pyrrolines resulted in the biologically important pyrrolidine-fused oxaziridine, amino acid derivatives, and a 6-azabicyclo[3.2.1]octane motif present in polycyclic alkaloids.