Synthesis of New Pyrrolo Heterocycles (I): Novel Synthesis of Pyrano[2,3‐c]pyrrole, Isoindoline, Pyrrolo[3,4‐b]pyridine, and Pyrrolo[3,4‐d]pyrimidine Derivatives

Michael addition of 1,5‐diaryl‐2,3‐dioxopyrrolidine derivatives with α‐cyanocinnamonitriles and ethyl α‐cyanocinnamates afforded 4H‐pyrano[2,3‐c]pyrrole derivatives in the presence of sodium ethoxide. Under the same reaction condition, the ylidenes of 1,5‐diaryl‐2,3‐dioxopyrrolidine were reacted with malononitrile or ethyl cyanoacetate to give isoindole derivatives; however, pyrrolo[3,4‐b]pyridine derivatives were formed when cyanoacetamide was used. Moreover, pyrrolo[3,4‐d]pyrimidine derivatives were synthesized by treating 4‐benzylidene‐1,5‐diphenyl‐2,3‐dioxopyrrolidine with urea and/or thiourea under basic conditions. The structures of all the new synthesized compounds were confirmed by elemental analysis, IR and NMR spectra.