Naturally occurring organic acids for organocatalytic synthesis of pyrroles via Paal–Knorr reaction

Abstract

In this study, common naturally occurring organic acids, namely oxalic, malonic, succinic, tartaric and citric acid (as safe, inexpensive, and biodegradable organocatalysts), have been employed for Paal–Knorr pyrrole synthesis. The organocatalyzed reaction proved to be effective in ethanol at 60 °C. However, the reaction rate is mainly dominated by the nature and position of functional groups on the aromatic ring of substrate. This metal-free procedure tolerates a series of functional groups and should be considered as an asset to the pharmaceutical industry since no metal contamination could take place during the synthesis of pyrrole scaffolds.