Optional Synthesis of 2- or 5-Substituted 3-Bromopyrroles via Bromine-Lithium Exchange of N-Benzenesulfonyl-2,4-dibromopyrrole

摘要

The regioselective bromine–lithium exchange of N-benzenesulfonyl-2,4-dibromopyrrole (6) with n-BuLi followed by treatment with various electrophiles gave 5-substituted 3-bromopyrroles (5) in excellent yields. In contrast, the sequential treatment of 6 with n-BuLi and diisopropylamine followed by quenching with electrophiles produced regioisomeric 2-substituted 3-bromopyrroles (3) selectively. The latter reaction can be rationalized by the rapid equilibration of the C-5 lithio species (4) to the more stable C-2 lithio species (2) in the presence of diisopropylamine.