Tandem ring-closing metathesis/isomerization reactions for the total synthesis of violacein.

A series of 5-substituted 2-pyrrolidinones was synthesized through a one-pot ruthenium alkylidene-catalyzed tandem RCM/isomerization/nucleophilic addition sequence. The intermediates resulting from RCM/isomerization showed reactivity toward electrophiles in aldol condensation reactions which provided a new entry for the total synthesis of the antileukemic natural product violacein.