In this study, the viability of a wide range of crystalline aromatic and aliphatic carboxylic acids asorganocatalysts has been investigated for solvent-free Paal–Knorr pyrrole synthesis under microwave activation.Among these potential catalysts, crystalline salicylic acid proved to be a remarkable catalyst becauseits efficiency remained high even under low microwave power irradiation or a shorter reaction time for themodel reaction. The outstanding catalytic activity of salicylic acid allowed the Paal–Knorr cyclocondensationwith a turnover frequency up to 1472 h^-1 which is unique in the context of a metal-free homogeneouscatalysis. The attractive feature of this organocatalyst is its assistance in ultrafast pyrrole synthesis with norisk of metal contamination.

Synopsis: A green and expeditious protocol for the synthesis of 2,5-dimethylpyrroles via combination of salicylic acid as catalyst (in its solid state) and microwaves has been introduced.