Base-Mediated Intramolecular Cyclization of α-Nitroethylallenic Esters as a Synthetic Route to 5-Hydroxy-3-pyrrolin-2-ones.

An unprecedented CsCO-mediated intramolecular cyclization/rearrangement cascade that transforms α-nitroethylallenic esters to functionalized pyrrolin-2-ones has been uncovered. This reaction provides a new and practical approach for the synthesis of medicinally privileged 5-hydroxy-3-pyrrolin-2-ones under mild conditions. The broad potential of this new method was demonstrated by an efficient Au/Ag-catalyzed heteroarylation of 5-hydroxy-3-pyrrolin-2-ones employing electron-rich heteroarenes to furnish heteroaryl-lactam derivatives.