1,5-Electrocyclization of 1-alkyl- 3-[(2Z)-2,4-diaryl-4-oxobut-2-en-1-yl]-1H-benzimidazol-3-ium bromides

Cyclization of 1-alkyl-3-(2Z)-2,4-diaryl-4-oxobut-2-en-1-yl]-1H-benzimidazol-3-ium bromides occurs in the presence of MeONa at a reduced temperature of 5–10°C via a 1,5-electrocyclization mechanism to give 3a,4-dihydro-3H-pyrrolo1,2-a]benzimidazoles. These are unstable under the reaction conditions and are readily converted to {1-2-(alkylamino)phenyl]-4-phenyl-1H-pyrrol-3-yl}(phenyl)methanones.