Synthesis 2001(15): 2281-2288
DOI: 10.1055/s-2001-18445
PAPER
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Diethoxymethyl Protected Pyrroles: Synthesis and Regioselective Transformations

Markus Bergauer, Peter Gmeiner*
Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Emil Fischer Center, Friedrich-Alexander University, Schuhstr. 19, 91052 Erlangen, Germany
Fax: +49(9131)8522585; e-Mail: gmeiner@pharmazie.uni-erlangen.de;
Further Information

Publication History

Received 28 June 2001
Publication Date:
05 August 2004 (online)

Abstract

Treatment of the acceptor-substituted pyrroles 1a-k with neat triethyl orthoformate gives access to the diethoxymethyl (DEM) protected derivatives 2a-k in high yield. Convenient and mild cleavage was achieved by subsequent treatment of the DEM-pyrroles 2a-k with trifluoroacetic acid in acetonitrile and aqueous NaOH at room temperature. DEM protection proved suitable for a variety of regioselective transformations involving directed ortho-metalation and iodine-magnesium exchange processes. Furthermore, electrophilic halogenations and Pd-catalyzed coupling reactions were also carried out.