3‐Acetylpyrrolo[1,2‐c]Oxazoles, Bipyrrolo[1,2‐c]Oxazoles, and Pyrrolo[1,2‐c]Oxazole‐Oxetane Ensembles via Base‐Catalyzed [3 + 2]‐Cyclization of 2‐Acylethynylpyrroles With Diacetyl

Abstract

A stereoselective, base‐catalyzed [3 + 2]‐cyclization of 2‐acylethynylpyrroles with diacetyl (DBU/benzene, room temperature) afforded bipyrrolo[1,2‐c]oxazoles or 3‐acetylpyrrolo[1,2‐c]oxazoles, both integrated with α,β‐ethylenic ketones, in 51–76% and 23–74% yields, respectively. Switching between these products was controlled by the concentration of diacetyl. Replacing the catalyst with NaOH triggered an unexpected Paternò–Büchi dimerization of diacetyl, followed by a [3 + 2]‐cyclization to yield pyrrolo[1,2‐c]oxazole‐oxetane ensembles (21–29%) alongside the aforementioned pyrrolo‐ and bipyrrolo[1,2‐c]oxazoles.