SHORT COMMUNICATIONSReactions of pyrrolo[2,1-a]isoquinoline-2,3-diones with nitrogen-centered nucleophiles can be accompanied by opening of the pyrrole ring [1,2] or the latter may be conserved [3]. The Knoevenagel condensation of pyrrolo[2,1-a]isoquinoline-2,3-diones with cyanoacetic acid derivatives does not involve opening of the pyrrole ring [4]. The goal of the present work was to synthesize new ylidene derivatives of pyrrolo[2,1-a]-isoquinoline-2,3-diones and study their behavior as dipolarophiles.In continuation of our studies on reactions of pyrrolo[2,1-a]isoquinoline-2,3-dione (I) and its benzofused derivative II with nucleophiles, we examined their condensation with such sulfur-centered nucleophiles as N-substituted rhodanines IIIa and IIIb (Scheme 1). The reactions were carried out in methanol in the presence of a catalytic amount of 40% aqueous potassium hydroxide. The condensation was not accompanied by opening of the pyrrole ring, and the products were the corresponding thiazolidin-5-ylidenesubstituted derivatives IV and V.According to spectral data, compounds IV and V were formed exclusively as E isomers with trans orientation of the carbonyl groups in the pyrrole and thiazolidine rings. The 1 H NMR spectra of IV and V contained no signals assignable to other isomers, and the 1′-H (IV) and 10′-H (V) signals were displaced downfield (δ 7.15 and 7.28 ppm, respectively) due to deshielding effect of the C 4 =O carbonyl group in the rhodanine fragment.The newly formed double C=C bond is a good dipolarophile, so that ylidene derivatives IV and V