A small library of 3-and 4-pyridyl-substituted pyrroles was prepared from N-acylated amino acids. Nicotinoyl or isonicotinoyl chloride was used for the N-acylation of benzyl esters of amino acids. Debenzylation by palladium-catalyzed hydrogenation gave N-acylated amino acids. Dehydration of the acylated amino acids gave cyclic intermediates, münchnones or azlactones, which were treated in situ with alkynes in 1, 3-dipolar cycloadditions. The ...