Regioselective Transition-Metal-Free Synthesis of 2‑(Trimethylsilylmethylene)pyrrol-3-ones by Thermal Cyclization of Acetylenic Enamines

Acetylenic enamines generated in situ from readily available enynones and primary amines undergo thermal cyclization in diphenyl ether providing easy access to 4-aryl-2-(trimethylsilylmethylene)-1,2-dihydro-3H-pyrrol-3-ones. This reaction is inherently versatile, allowing for variations of substituents in both enynone and amine. Full regioselectivity along with short reaction time (1–2 h) and simple workup afford single products in good to excellent isolated yields. Fluorescent properties of the obtained compounds were studied.