Copper-Catalyzed Double N-Alkenylation of Amides: An Efficient Synthesis of Di- or Trisubstituted N-Acylpyrroles

An efficient copper-catalyzed double alkenylation of amides with (1Z,3Z)-1,4-diiodo-1,3-dienes is reported for the first time. The reactions proceed to afford di- or trisubstituted N-acylpyrroles in good to excellent yields using CuI as the catalyst, Cs2CO3 as the base, and rac-trans-N,N‘-dimethylcyclohexane-1,2-diamine as the ligand.