Gold-catalyzed intermolecular nitrene transfer from 2H-azirines to ynamides: a direct approach to polysubstituted pyrroles.

An effective gold-catalyzed intermolecular nitrene transfer by the reaction of 2H-azirines and ynamides is reported, which provides highly substituted pyrroles in a straightforward manner. This transformation proceeds under mild conditions and gives the polysubstituted pyrroles in good-to-excellent yields. Preliminary results indicate that a nongold carbenoid pathway is preferred for current pyrrole synthesis.