Stabilisation of 3,4-Dihydro-2<i>H</i>-pyrrole (1-Pyrroline) by Complexation with Zinc Iodide

Abstract

Two molecules of 3,4-dihydro-2H-pyrrole (1-pyrroline) combine with zinc iodide to form a stable, crystalline complex [bis(3,4-dihydro-2H-pyrrol-1-yl)diiodozinc(II)] in good yield. The 1-pyrroline can be readily regenerated with base or used directly in methanol with 3-oxo acids for the efficient preparation of 2-(acylmethyl)pyrrolidine derivatives.