Pyrrole chemistry. XVII. Alkylation of the pyrrolyl ambident anion

A series of experiments were carried out to find optimum conditions for C- and N-alkylation of the pyrrolyl ambident anion. While almost total C-alkylation could be obtained, isolation of a single alkylation product was not feasible. However, N-alkylation of pyrrole and several 2-substituted pyrroles was readily achieved by phase transfer catalysis with primary alkyl halides.