A palladium-catalyzed synthesis of 2-alkylidene-pyrrolo[c]-1,4-dioxanes: synthesis of 3,4-(cis-1,2-dimethyl)ethylenedioxypyrrole

Palladium-catalyzed cyclization of ethyl-1-benzyl-3,4-dihydroxypyrrole-2,5-dicarboxylate with various propargylic carbonates rendered 2-alkylidenepyrrolo[c]-1,4-dioxane derivatives with excellent yields. Further chemical manipulations of a selected compound led to 3,4-(cis-1,2-dimethyl)ethylenedioxypyrrole in good yield.