Ytterbium(III) triflate catalyzed annulation of propargylic 1,4-diols with aryl sulfonamides to give highly substituted pyrrole derivatives

A synthetic route to prepare highly substituted pyrrole derivatives efficiently in moderate to good yields via the Yb(OTf)3-catalyzed cyclization of 1,4-propargylic diols with aryl sulfonamides is reported herein. The present synthetic method offers an operationally simple and convenient route to pyrroles under mild conditions that does not require the exclusion of air and moisture.