A novel, convenient and efficient three-component reaction for synthesizing substituted pyrroles from primary amines and electron deficient acetylenic compounds in the presence of ammonium thiocyanate in water leads to the formation of pyrroles in good yields.

The preparation of alkynes from carbonyl compounds via a one-carbon homologation has become a very useful pathway for the synthesis of acetylenic compounds, both internal and terminal. This tutorial review provides an overview of the different methods available for this transformation, including their scope and limitations, recent developments and applications in total syntheses.