A facile synthesis of pyrrolo[1,2-a]pyrimidines and pyrrolo[1,2-a]imidazoles

The one-step synthesis of 8-t-butoxycarbonyl-6,7-dimethyl-2-oxo-1,2,3,4-tetrahydropyrrolo[1,2-a]pyrimidine from acetyl methyl carbinol, 3-aminopropionic acid, and t-butyl cyanoacetate is reported. Utilizing a similar technology under basic conditions, 7-substituted 5,6-dimethyl-2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-(1H)-pyrrolo[1,2-a]imidazole is synthesized from acetyl methyl carbinol, ethyl glycinate, and the appropriate acetonitrile.