Highly regioselective synthesis of 2,3,4-trisubstituted 1H-pyrroles: a formal total synthesis of lukianol A.

A combined use of alpha-lithiation and nucleophilic substitutions of N,N-dimethyl 3,4-bis(trimethylsilyl)-1H-pyrrole-1-sulfonamide 8c led to several 2-substituted 3, 4-bis(trimethylsilyl)-1H-pyrrole-1-sulfonamides. Utilizing the beta-effect of a trimethylsilyl group, a highly regioselective synthesis of 2,3,4-trisubstituted 1H-pyrroles 23 and 34 was accomplished. The marine natural product lukianol A (3) was prepared utilizing this strategy.