An efficient and selective synthesis of 2,5-substituted pyrroles by gold-catalysed ring expansion of alkynyl aziridines

A range of substituted alkynyl aziridines undergo a ring expansion to afford 2,5-substituted pyrroles under gold catalysis. While effective conditions can be generated from other gold sources, a combination of Ph₃PAuCl and AgOTs generate a catalyst system that provides extremely clean cycloisomerisation reactions requiring minimal work-up and purification.