Synthesis of 2,5-disubstituted 6-azaindoles from substituted aziridines via intramolecular cyclization

A new and efficient preparation of pharmacologically and biologically important 2,5-disubstituted 6-azaindoles was achieved from cyclizations of aziridin-2-yl dipropargylic alcohols as adducts of two propargyl groups to ethyl 1-benzylaziridine-2-carboxylate. The sequential cyclizations include pyrrole formation and a novel base-catalyzed intramolecular acetylenic Schmidt reaction.