Synthesis of pyrrolo[2,3-d][1,2,3]thiadiazole-6-carboxylates via the Hurd-Mori reaction. Investigating the effect of the N-protecting group on the cyclization.

A route to methyl pyrrolo[2,3-d][1,2,3]thiadiazole-6-carboxylates as potential plant activators and inducers of systemic acquired resistance (SAR) is reported. A synthetic strategy based on cyclization of the thiadiazole ring system utilizing thionyl chloride via the Hurd-Mori protocol as key step was developed. Success of the ring closure reaction turned out to be highly dependent on the nature of the N-protecting group of the pyrrolidine precursor. While electron donors such as alkyl gave only poor conversion to the required 1,2,3-thiadiazoles, an electron withdrawing substituent such as methyl carbamate gave superior yields.