Attachment of an alkyl-or arylsulfonyl group at the nitrogen atom of a pyrrole reduces the aromaticity and electron availability of the system. This is confirmed by the structure of an N- tosylated chloromethylpyrrole determined by X-ray crystallography. In agreement, N- mesylated chloromethylpyrroles are handleable materials which react smoothly with N- magnesium derivatives of pyrroles to provide a novel route for synthesis of ...