Received 26 March 2007; accepted (revised) 7 June 2007 A tandem reductive cyclisation of diethyl 2-(2-nitro-1-arylethyl)malonate by zinc and ammonium chloride in aqueous medium leading to a one pot synthesis of ethyl 2-oxo-4-arylpyrrolidine-3-carboxylate in good yield has been described. ... Keywords: Tandem reactions, zinc and ammonium chloride, reductive cyclisation, 2-pyrrolidinone ... Pyrrolidine is a basic intermediate used in wide range of ...
