Phosphine-catalyzed Aza-MBH reactions of vinylpyridines: Efficient and rapid access to 2,3,5-triarylsubstituted 3-pyrrolines

Vinylpyridines have been developed in aza-Morita-Baylis-Hillman (MBH) reaction to construct triarylsubstituted 3-pyrrolines. The first electron-deficient aromatic ring is marked as an activating mode for the vinyl group in the MBH reaction. This method provides efficient and rapid access to a range of triarylpyrrolines in good yields and at an excellent level of diastereoselectivity. Moreover, the synthetic potential of this protocol is further enhanced by the straightforward synthesis of unsymmetrical tri- and polyarylsubstituted pyrroles.