Unexpected transformations of O-vinylacetophenone oxime in the system ButOK - THF

Article abstract of DOI:10.1007/BF02495424

Transformation of O-vinylacetophenone oxime in the system Bu^tOK - THF was studied. The reaction at 60-65°C was shown to afford not the anticipated 2-phenylpyrrole, but, instead, 2,4-diphenylpyrrole (21% yield) and oligomer products (40% yield). The latter have the same elemental composition as the starting O-vinyl oxime but do not contain vinyloxy groups or pyrrole fragments.