Metal-Free One-Pot Annulative Coupling of 2-Hydroxybenzaldehydes with β-Ketothioamides: Access to Diverse 2-Arylimino-2H-Chromenes

PIDA-promoted metal-free [3 + 2] heteroannulation of β-ketothioamides with 4-hydroxy coumarins: chemo-/regioselective access to furo[3,2-c]chromen-4-ones at room temperature

Herein, we report a viable protocol to access furo[3,2-c]chromen-4-ones by engaging easily accessible 4-hydroxy coumarins as a three-atom CCO unit and thioamides as a C2 coupling partner, mediated by phenyliodine(III) diacetate (PIDA) at room temperature in a highly efficient and pot-/step-economical manner. This strategy not only avoids potential toxicity and tiresome workup conditions, but also features operational simplicity, a broad substrate scope, good functional group tolerance, high yields, easy scalability and exclusive selectivity. A mechanistic study has shown that this metal-free reaction is triggered by PIDA via activation of the β-carbon of 4-hydroxy coumarin, followed by a nucleophilic addition/intramolecular cyclization/dethiohydration cascade. High-resolution mass spectra (HRMS) study confirms the key intermediates involved during the course of the reaction, elucidating the reaction pathways, and demonstrates the excellent regio- and chemoselectivity of this approach.

Cu(II)-Catalyzed [3 + 1 + 1 + 1] Cyclization of 1,3-Diketones and 2-Naphthols Using N,N-Dimethylethanolamine as a Dual Carbon Synthon for the Synthesis of 2H-Chromenes

Reactions with diverse C1 synthons to realize homologation were well explored. However, homologations occurring twice with one C1 synthon in a reaction were less reported. We disclose herein a Cu(II)-catalyzed novel and efficient synthesis of 2H-chromenes from 2-naphthols, 1,3-diketones, and N,N-dimethylethanolamine (DMEA) as a dual carbon synthon. Various 2H-chromenes with different functional groups are constructed in moderate to good yields. This is the first report that DMEA acts as a dual C1 synthon.

Theoretical Investigations on the Rh(III)-Catalyzed Oxidative C-H Activation/Annulation of Salicylaldehydes with Masked Enynes: Mechanism Insights and Regioselectivity Origins

The mechanism underlying the rhodium(III)-catalyzed reaction of the C-H alkenylation/annulation reaction of salicylaldehydes with enynes has been thoroughly investigated using DFT calculations. Based on mechanistic studies, our focus primarily lies on the regioselectivity of asymmetric alkynes inserting into the Rh-C bond and the involvement of the auxiliary group OAc- in these reactions. Our theoretical study uncovers that, with acetate assistance, a stepwise SN2' cyclization, 1,3-Rh migration, β-H elimination, and reductive elimination process occur. Furthermore, we also explore the role of substitution at Cα (CH3 vs H) in the reaction. As demonstrated in this work, these findings are applicable to other related reactions.

Rh(III)-Catalyzed Oxidative C-H Activation/Annulation of Salicylaldehydes with Masked Enynes for the Synthesis of Chromones

A rhodium(III)-catalyzed oxidative C-H activation/annulation of salicylaldehydes with propargylic acetates has been developed for the regioselective synthesis of 3-vinyl chromones in good yields with broad functional group tolerance. 3-Vinyl chromones were converted into biologically active benzo[c]xanthone by I₂-mediated oxidative electrocyclization.