Zirconocene-mediated intermolecular coupling of one molecule of Si-tethered diyne with three molecules of organonitriles: one-pot formation of pyrrolo[3,2-c]pyridine derivatives via cleavage of CN triple bonds of organonitriles.

One Si-tethered diyne is coupled in one pot with three molecules of organonitriles promoted by a low-valent zirconocene species. Cleavage of one of the three CN triple bonds and cleavage of the two Si-C bonds take place to afford pyrrolo[3,2-c]pyridine derivatives after hydrolysis.