Lawesson's reagent-promoted deoxygenation of γ-hydroxylactams or succinimides for the syntheses of substituted pyrroles

A new method of Lawesson's reagent-promoted deoxygenation of γ-hydroxypyrrolidones or succinimides was developed for synthesizing substituted pyrroles with 92 examples displayed. This reaction features simple operation, satisfactory yields, wide substrate scope, and excellent functional group tolerance. This robust protocol has been successfully applied in the expeditious syntheses of the key intermediate of Stemona alkaloids.