Multi-component coupling synthesis of polycyclic pyrrole derivatives via Ir- and Rh-catalyzed cycloisomerizations with microwave heating

CuBr2-catalyzed three-component coupling of N-benzylallylamine, ethyl glyoxalate, and terminal alkynes afforded glycinate-tethered 1,6-enynes, which were further transformed into polycyclic pyrrole-2-carboxylates via iridium-catalyzed cycloisomerization/Diels–Alder cycloaddition/dehydrogenation sequence under conventional and microwave heating conditions. The corresponding β-amino acid analogues were obtained from the Ir-catalyzed reaction of enynes prepared from lithium amides of allylamines with methyl non-2-en-4-ynoate. The Cu-catalyzed Mannich-type condensation was further extended to the synthesis of the glycinate-tethered dienyne and cyclopropylenyne, which were subjected to Rh-catalyzed cycloisomerizations to furnish bicyclic amino acids.