Annulation of dihydroimidazoles: a 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition route to pyrrolo[1,2-a]imidazoles, pyrrolidines and pyrroles

Abstract

4,5-Dihydroimidazolium ylides, formed by N-alkylation of 4,5-dihydroimidazoles, undergo diastereoselective endo 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition with electron-deficient alkene dipolarophiles to afford hexahydropyrrolo[1,2-a]imidazoles; reduction of the aminal functionality in the cycloadducts leads to substituted pyrrolidines. Cycloaddition using 2-chloropropenonitrile, followed by base treatment, affords pyrroles.