The Hantzsch pyrrole synthesis

Abstract

Ethyl esters of 2-alkyl- and 2,4-dialkylpyrrole-3-carboxylic acids are obtained generally by extensions of the Hantzsch synthesis, benzyl and t-butyl esters when the 2-alkyl group is methyl. Hemopyrrole is obtained from butanal and ethyl acetoacetate in three steps. Pyrroles bearing higher alkyl groups or carbobenzoxy groups are reductively alkylated like the corresponding methylpyrroles and carbethoxy derivatives; t-butyl esters do not survive.