Preparation of 3-substituted 4-cyanopyrrole compound

PURPOSE: To obtain in a good yield 3-substd. 4-cyano-pyrrole compd. useful as an agricultural fungicide without using phosphine that is difficultly removed from wastes or sodium hydride that is difficultly treated industrially. CONSTITUTION: (i) A compd. of the formula; Ar-Br (wherein Ar is at least 2,3-disubstd. aryl or substd. heteroaryl) is allowed to react with acrylonitrile in the presence of a solvent and a suitable reaction auxiliary to obtain a compd. of formula I. (ii). Then, the compd. is allowed to react with a compd. of formula II (wherein Ph is optionally substd. phenyl) in the presence of a suitable diluent and optionally in the presence of a suitable reaction auxiliary to prepare a compd. of formula III. The step (i) is carried out in the presence of a Pd catalyst, pref. Pd salt or elemental Pd supported on a suitable carrier, at 50-25°C. The step (ii) is carried out in the presence of 1.2-1.8 molar excess of alkali metal alcoholate or hydroxide at -30 to +100°C. Thereby, the objective compd. is obtained advantageously. An intermediate of the formula I may not be separated. COPYRIGHT: (C)1993,JPO