An Intramolecular\nReaction between Pyrroles and Alkynes\nLeads to Pyrrole Dearomatization under Cooperative Actions of a Gold\nCatalyst and Isoxazole Cocatalysts

The gold-catalyzed\none-pot synthesis of 3<i>H</i>-benzo[<i>e</i>]isoindoles\n(<b>3</b>) from a mixture of isoxazole\n(<b>2</b>) and diynamides (<b>1</b>) is described. This\ntandem catalysis involves two separate steps: (i) initial synthesis\nof 2-(3-pyrrolyl)-1-alkynylbenzenes and (ii) a novel alkyne/pyrrole\ncoupling reaction through pyrrole dearomatization. Our control experiments\nreveal the cooperative action of the gold catalyst and isoxazole cocatalyst\nto enable the novel alkyne/pyrrole coupling leading to a 1,2-acyl\nshift.