Efficient and Mild Protocol for the Synthesis of 4(3)-Substituted 3(4)-Nitro-1H-pyrroles and 3-Substituted 4-Methyl-2-tosyl-1 H-pyrroles from Nitroolefins and Tosylmethyl Isocyanide in Ionic Liquids

A mild and convenient method for the synthesis of 4(3)‐substituted 3(4)‐nitro‐1H‐pyrroles and 3‐substituted 4‐methyl‐2‐tosyl‐1H‐pyrroles from nitroolefins and tosylmethyl isocyanide (TosMIC) in ionic liquid 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium bromide ([bmIm]Br) was developed. The reactions were performed at room temperature with KOH as base with good yields in a short time (about 2 h). Some tough conditions, such as absolutely anhydrous organic solvents, low temperature, hazardous and expensive strong base or organic base, were not needed. The yields of 4(3)‐substituted 3(4)‐nitro‐1H‐pyrroles were moderate, but excellent yields were achieved for the preparation of 3‐substituted 4‐methyl‐2‐tosyl‐1H‐pyrroles. This strategy was quite general and it worked in a broad range of nitroolefins with aromatic, aliphatic or heterocyclic substituents. The recovered ionic liquid could be reused as solvent for several times without significant decrease of reaction yields.