The Friedel-Crafts reaction of homochiral pyrrole derivatives with α,β-unsaturated esters catalyzed by metal triflates furnished conjugate addition products. The best yields were obtained by using yttrium triflate and methyl 4-phenyl-2-oxobut-3-enoate (2a). The addition worked regioselectively at C-5 of pyrrole. The diastereoisomers were separated by column chromatography.
homochiral pyrroles - metal triflates - conjugate addition - Friedel-Crafts reaction - pyrroles