Superbase-promoted multi-molecular acetylene/arylamine self-organization to 1-arylpyrroles

A new superbase-promoted reaction of acetylene involves self-organization of its three molecules with one molecule of arylamine in KOH/DMSO system to afford 1-aryl-2,5- dimethylpyrroles in up to 63% yields. The key step of this reaction cascade is assumed to be the nucleophilic addition of acetylene to the C = N bond of the intermediate aldimine (aza-Favorsky reaction).