N-methylpyrrol-2-acetic acid and pyrrol-2-acetic acid were converted into di- and trianions on reaction with two equivalents of lithium diisopropylamide or three equivalents of t-butyllithium, respectively. Reaction of the anions with one equivalent of an alkyl bromide or iodide gave the corresponding mono-α-substituted acetic acids which on thermal decarboxylation gave pure 2-alkylpyrroles.