The reaction of 1-substituted vinamidinium salts with sarcosine ethyl ester produced 2,3-disubstituted pyrroles; a similar reaction with glycine ethyl ester gave 2,5-disubstituted pyrroles. Reactions of related three-carbon synthons with sarcosine and glycine were studied under basic, neutral and acidic conditions which demonstrated the utility of these derivatives for the regiocontrolled preparation of disubstituted pyrroles.