Diastereoselective Synthesis Of N-Protected 2,3-Dihydropyrroles Via Iron-Catalyzed Cycloisomerization Of Alpha-Allenic Sulfonamides

Herein, we report the synthesis of 2,3-dihydropyrroles via an iron-catalyzed intramolecular nucleophilic cyclization of alpha-allenic sulfonamides. A highly diastereoselective variant of the reaction was also developed with the use of 1,2-disubstituted allenamides, which afforded 2,3-dihydropyrroles with diastereomeric ratios of >98:2. Insight into the mechanism was gained through a detailed DFT study, which elucidates the reaction mechanism and rationalizes the high chemoselectivity and diastereoselectivity.