N-substituted pyrrolinones from enamines and α-dicarbonyls

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0040-4020(01)85268-6

The reaction between N-substituted enamines and phenylglyoxal or glyoxal yielded Δ²-pyrrolin-5-ones in moderate to good yields. An uncommon pyrrolo [2,1-b]thiazole derivative was formed as a minor product when a N-(2-mercaptoethyl)enamine was used as the starting reagent. An explanation for the regiochemistry of the reaction is proposed.