Electrochemical synthesis of 1,2,3-trisubstituted pyrroles from β-dicarbonyl compounds, aldehydes and amines via radical addition reaction

• Radical addition reaction induced by electro-generated iodine radical. • Without additional oxidants and transient metal catalysts. • Three-component reaction in one-step. An efficient electrochemical synthesis of 1,2,3-trisubstituted pyrroles was developed by one-pot three-component reaction of β-dicarbonyl compounds, aldehydes with amines. The target products could be obtained in good to excellent yields. Our investigations indicate that β-enamino ketone is a key intermediate in this transformation and the reaction mechanism may involve a radical addition reaction pathway.