Synthesis of pyrrolidine-substituted benzamides via iodocyclization of β-enaminoesters

Novel 2-, and N-substituted 5-methylene-pyrrolidine benzamides and 2-, 3-, and N-substituted 5-methylene-2-pyrroline benzamides were synthesized for the first time in a straightforward manner and in good yields via iodocyclization of γ- and α-alkenyl-β-enaminoesters, respectively. The key step in the process is the synthesis of the methylene-pyrrolidine iodide and methylene-2-pyrroline iodide intermediates. Functional group inter-conversion of these iodides to their amino analogs, and their subsequent coupling to benzoic acids via EDC, afforded the above pyrrolidine/2-pyrroline-substituted benzamides in yields of around 75%.