A catalyst-controlled, chemodivergent
reaction of pyrrolyl-α-diazo-β-ketoesters
with enol ethers is reported. While Cu(II) catalysts selectively promoted
a [3 + 2] cycloaddition to provide pyrrolyl-substituted 2,3-dihydrofuran
(DHF) acetals, dimeric Rh(II) catalysts afforded 6-hydroxyindole-7-carboxylates
via an unreported [4 + 2] benzannulation. The choice of enol ether
proved to be crucial in determining both regioselectivity and yield
of the respective products (up to 91% yield for Cu(II) and 82% for
Rh(II) catalysis). Furthermore, the DHF acetals were shown to serve
as precursors to 7-hydroxyindole-6-carboxylates (isomeric to the indoles
formed from Rh) and highly substituted furans in the presence of Lewis
acids. Thus, from a common pyrrolyl-α-diazo-β-ketoester,
up to three unique heterocyclic scaffolds can be achieved based on
catalyst selection.
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