Efficient One-Pot Functionalization of Pyrroles via Dearomative Chlorination–Thiocyanation Strategy

Reactivity of non-aromatic 2,5-dichloro-2H-pyrroles toward S-nucleophiles was investigated. It was found that these non-aromatic derivatives exhibit both oxidative and electrophilic properties. Their reaction with thiols and xanthates proceeds as redox process to form disulfides and 5-chlorinated pyrroles as a result of 2,5-dichloro-2H-pyrroles reduction. However, the reaction with ammonium thiocyanate afforded the corresponding 5-thiocyanated 1H-pyrroles. Based on these findings, a novel one-pot method for the thiocyanation of 2,3,4-trisubstituted pyrroles was developed. The protocol involves the in situ generation of highly reactive 2,5-dichloro-2H-pyrroles via dearomative chlorination of the corresponding pyrroles using trichloroisocyanuric acid (TCCA). Subsequent addition of ammonium thiocyanate leads to regioselective incorporation of a thiocyanate group at the C5 position and rearomatization of the pyrrole core. A broad scope of pyrrole-5-thiocyanates was obtained in yields up to 82%. Furthermore, these derivatives were efficiently transformed into 5-trifluoromethylthiolated pyrroles using Ruppert’s reagent in up to 94% yield. This reaction sequence provides a cost-effective way to obtain 5-trifluoromethylthiolated pyrroles, avoiding the need for high-cost electrophilic reagents. The synthetic utility of these novel sulfur-containing pyrrole derivatives was also demonstrated.