Reactivity of allenoates towards aziridines: synthesis of functionalized methylenepyrrolidines and pyrroles

The reactivity of buta-2,3-dienoates towards aziridines is reported. Typically, allenoates react as the 2π-component in the [3+2] cycloaddition with azomethine ylides generated from aziridines, affording 4-methylenepyrrolidines in a site-, regio- and stereoselective fashion. However, N-cyclohexyl- or N-tert-butyl-2-benzoyl-3-phenylaziridines showed a different reactivity in the reaction with buta-2,3-dienoates. Pyrrole derivatives were obtained as single or major products resulting from a formal [3+2] cycloaddition via C-N bond cleavage of the three-membered ring heterocycle leading to functionalized pyrroles. From the reaction with allenoates bearing bulkier C-4 substituents 4-methylenepyrrolidines were also formed as minor products.