Short synthesis of 4-aryl-3-pyrrolin-2-ones

A three step, convergent synthesis of 4-aryl-3-pyrrolin-2-ones from a tetramic acid has been developed. The key transformation utilized a Suzuki–Miyaura cross-coupling reaction between a 4-tosyloxy-3-pyrrolin-2-one and an arylboronic acid. This work also provides access to 4-arylpyrrolidin-2-ones, cyclic analogs of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA). Hydrogenation of 4-(4′-chlorophenyl)-3-pyrrolin-2-one proceeded smoothly to give baclofen lactam.