The preparation of 5-carbethoxythieno [3, 2-b] pyrrole (IIIb) is accomplished by condensation of 2-methyl-3-nitrothiophene (I) with diethyl oxalate followed by stannous chloride reduction of the product, ethyl 3-nitrc-2-thienylpyruvate (IIb), in an over-all yield of 4770. A similar procedure gives rise to 2, 5-dicarbethoxythieno-[3, 2-b] pyrrole (XIY) from 2-methyl-3-nitro-5- carbethoxythiophene (XII) in an over-all yield of 38%. Some typical electrophilic, aromatic ...