Ruthenium-catalyzed cyclization of 3-en-1-ynyl imines with nucleophiles via tandem 5-exo-dig cyclization and nucleophilic addition

Treatment of 3-en-1-ynyl imines with TpRuPPh₃(CH₃CN)₂PF₆ catalyst (1 mol %) in DCE (50 °C, 6 h) effected catalytic cyclization with suitable nucleophiles and gave functionalized pyrroles in good yields. The reaction mechanism is proposed to proceed via (2-pyrrolyl)carbenoid intermediates derived from 5-exo-dig cyclization. This catalytic reaction works well with various nucleophiles, including water, alcohols and anilines.