Cu/Mn Co-oxidized Cyclization for the Synthesis of Highly Substituted Pyrrole Derivatives from Amino Acid Esters: A Strategy for the Biomimetic Syntheses of Lycogarubin C and Chromopyrrolic Acid

An effective and concise approach to synthesis of tetrasubstituted pyrroles from readily available amino acid esters by the promotion of Cu­(OAc)2 in conjunction with Mn­(OAc)3 has been developed. This reaction proceeds through multiple dehydrogenations, deamination, and oxidative cyclization. This oxidized system tolerates substrates bearing various electron-donating or electron-withdrawing groups. With this methodology, several key intermediates of natural products have been effectively prepared, and the total syntheses of lycogarubin C and chromopyrrolic acid have been completed in high efficiency.