A Mild Silica Gel Promoted Synthesis and Initial Functional Study of Tetrapyridyl Tetrahydropyrrolopyrrolones

A one-pot strategy with yields up to 82% was reported to generate 2-(pyridin-2-yl)-2-(3,3a,6-tris­(5-pyridin-2-yl)-5-oxohexahydropyrrolo­[3,2-b] pyrrol-2­(1H)-ylidene)­acetonitrile 1a and its derivatives 1b–d. Silica gel promoted quantitative conversion from stable intermediate to 1a within 30 min at room temperature. Finally, four chemical σ bonds and two chiral carbons with high diastereoselectivity were achieved. Compound 1a can act as a novel high selective UV–vis and fluorescence “turn-on” probe for Zn2+ and Cd2+, respond to proton, and show dual-state emission (DSE) characteristics.