A three-step approach to 4-aryl-3-phenyl-3-pyrrolin-2-ones from a readily available
tetramic acid is described. The introduction of different aryl groups to the 4-position
of the ring system was accomplished utilizing Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reactions
of the corresponding tetramic acid triflate. This strategy was successfully employed
in the first synthesis of the NH lactam analogue of rofecoxib.
lactams - Suzuki-Miyaura cross-couplings - arylations - 3-pyrrolin-2-ones - tetramic
acids