Copper- or phosphine-catalyzed reaction of alkynes with isocyanides. Regioselective synthesis of substituted pyrroles controlled by the catalyst.

The copper-catalyzed reaction of isocyanides (CNCH2EWG1) 1 with electron-deficient alkynes (RC[triple bond]CEWG2) 2 gave the 2,4-di-EWG-substituted pyrroles 3 selectively, whereas the phosphine-catalyzed reaction of 1 with 2 afforded the 2,3-di-EWG-subsituted pyrroles 4. Accordingly, regioselective synthesis of substituted pyrroles has been achieved by merely choosing the catalyst.