Processes for the synthesis of γ nitrocarbonyl and γ dicarbonyl compounds and their pyrrole derivatives

A process for producing a γ-dicarbonyl compound comprising:

• a) contacting a primary nitro compound, an α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compound, a base, and water to produce a γ-nitrocarbonyl compound;
• and
• b) contacting a peroxide compound with the γ-nitrocarbonyl compound at a molar ratio of the peroxide compound to the γ-nitrocarbonyl compound in a range from about 1:1 to about 15:1 to produce the γ-dicarbonyl compound;
• wherein:
• step b) is conducted at a temperature in a range from about 40° C. to about 100° C.;
• the base is an alkali metal carbonate;
• the primary nitro compound has the formula:
• the α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compound has the formula:
• the γ-dicarbonyl compound has the formula:
• wherein:
• R, R1, R2, R3, and R4 independently are a hydrogen atom, a C1-C30 organyl group, a C1-C30 organyl group consisting of inert functional groups, or a C1-C30 hydrocarbyl group.