Abstract Enol esters 3a and 3b, from cyclohexane-1, 3-dione and pyrrole-2-carbonyl chloride and indole-2-carbonyl chloride, respectively, rearranged in the presence of triethylamine to the enamino acids 7 and 12. In the presence of cyanide, 3b, also underwent the expected rearrangement to 4b, whereas only 7 was formed from 3a. Treatment of 7 with mercuric acetate in hot acetic acid resulted in decarboxylation and aromatization to ...