Synthesis of condensed heterocycles via cyclopropylimine rearrangement of cyclopropylazoles

Thermal cyclopropylimine rearrangement of cyclopropylazoles into condensed heterocycles and factors affecting the regioselectivity and conversion are reported. A method of conducting the reaction in the absence of solvents is developed. A series of 2-cyclopropylazoles, including novel examples, is synthesized and their transformations into the corresponding condensed heterocyclic compounds (2,3-dihydro-1H-pyrroles and 6,7-dihydro-5H-pyrrolo[2,1-b]thiazolium salts) are studied.