Efficient Synthesis of Highly Functionalized Spirocarbocyclic Oxindoles through Hauser Annulation

Hauser-Kraus Annulation Initiated Multi-Cascade Reactions for Facile Access to Functionalized and Fused Oxazepines, Carbazoles and Phenanthridinediones

The Hauser-Kraus (H-K) annulation of N-unsubstituted 3-olefinic oxindoles with 3-nucleophilic phthalides triggers a cascade of ring expansion and ring contraction reactions through several regioselective steps in one pot. While oxazepines were isolated in the presence of stoichiometric amounts of base at room temperature, carbazoles and phenanthridinediones were the products in the presence of excess base and microwave irradiation. Mechanistic studies guided by stepwise reactions and control experiments revealed that the isolable oxazepine intermediate, formed via ring expansion of the H-K adduct, is the key precursor to carbazole and phenanthridinedione via decarboxylative regioselective cyclizations.

Synthesis of indenofurans, benzofurans and spiro-lactones via Hauser–Kraus annulation involving 1,6-addition of phthalide to quinone methides

Base mediated 1,6-addition–Dieckmann cyclization of phthalide with quinone methide leads to oxygen heterocycles such as indenofurans, spiro-lactones and benzofurans through a cascade of rearrangements involving multiple ring opening and ring closure.

Synthesis of Spiro- and Fused Heterocycles via (4+4) Annulation of Sulfonylphthalide with o-Hydroxystyrenyl Derivatives

An expedient one-pot protocol for the synthesis of functionalized benzofuran containing fused and spiro-heterocycles has been accomplished by the modified Hauser-Kraus (HK) annulation of sulfonylphthalide with o-hydroxychalcones and o-hydroxynitrostyrylisoxazoles. The multicascade process involves Michael addition, Dieckmann cyclization, and a series of cyclizations, eliminations, and rearrangements to deliver the fused and spiro-heterocyclic products. An unusual transformation of fused indenofuran to naphthoquinone, the classical HK adduct, unraveled a novel pathway for the synthesis unsymmetrical naphthoquinones.