Pyrroles and gem-dihalocyclopropanes as building blocks for alkaloid synthesis

Pyrroles and gem-dihalocyclopropanes are both readily accessible classes of compound. They have considerable potential as building blocks in the construction of alkaloid frameworks. This review details work, carried out within the authors' laboratories, directed towards such ends and with a particular emphasis on the engagement of the title moieties in intramolecular processes. An emerging area involving efforts to exploit the complementary electronic characteristics of pyrroles and gem-dihalogenocyclopropanes in the synthesis of alkaloids is also discussed.