Greener Paal-Knorr Pyrrole Synthesis by Mechanical Activation

A straightforward and solventless synthesis of pyrroles was developed by using mechanochemical activation and a biosourced organic acid as the catalyst. Relative to traditional Paal-Knorr methodologies, various N-substituted pyrroles were obtained in very short reaction times. By reaction with unreactive diketones, desymmetrized aliphatic and aromatic compounds were also synthesized.