Synthesis of Highly Functionalized Biaryls by Condensation of 2-Fluoro-1,3-bis(silyloxy) 1,3-Dienes with 3-Cyanochromones and Subsequent Domino “Retro-Michael/Aldol/Fragmentation”

Domino reactions of chromones with activated carbonyl compounds

Domino reactions of chromones with activated carbonyl compounds, such as dimethyl acetone-1,3-dicarboxylate and 1,3-diphenylacetone, and with 1,3-bis(silyloxy)-1,3-butadienes, electroneutral equivalents of 1,3-dicarbonyl dianions, allow for a convenient synthesis of a great variety of products. The regioselectivity and course of the reaction depends of the substituent located at carbon C3 of the chromone moiety and also on the type of nucleophile employed.

Regioselective synthesis of benzonitriles via amino-catalyzed [3+3] benzannulation reaction

A straightforward synthesis of benzonitriles is achieved via amino-catalyzed [3+3] benzannulation of α,β-unsaturated aldehydes and 4-arylsulfonyl-2-butenenitriles. Using pyrrolidine as an organocatalyst via iminium activation, a series of substituted benzonitriles were obtained in good to high yields in a regioselective manner. This reaction can proceed smoothly under mild reaction conditions and without the aid of any metals, additional oxidants, or strong bases, thus making this an efficient and environmentally friendly method to access benzonitriles.

Selective synthesis of pyrrolo[1,2-a]azepines or 4,6-dicarbonyl indoles via tandem reactions of alkynones with pyrrole derivatives

Novel methodologies for the selective synthesis of pyrrolo[1,2-a]azepines or 4,6-dicarbonyl indoles starting from pyrrole derivatives and alkynones are described. When reactions were carried out with 1,2,4-trisubstituted N-propargyl pyrroles using a ZnI₂ catalyst, pyrrolo[1,2-a]azepines were obtained. Whereas 4,6-dicarbonyl indoles were produced selectively with 1,2-disubstituted pyrroles in the presence of silica gel. The reaction outcomes depend on the substituent pattern of the substrates and the nature of the catalysts chosen. Control reactions suggested that the formation of a conjugated enamine intermediate was crucial for both the processes. With easily accessible starting materials, inexpensive catalysts and an easy-to-handle procedure, this reaction has the potential to become a general protocol for the synthesis of pyrrolo[1,2-a]azepines or indoles.

Synthesis of 4-quinolones, benzopyran derivatives and other fused systems based on the domino ANRORC reactions of (ortho-fluoro)-3-benzoylchromones

This method provides a valuable one-pot shortcut for the synthesis of 4-quinolones, benzopyran derivatives and other fused systems from (ortho-fluoro)-3-benzoylchromones.

One-pot five-component synthesis of spirocyclopenta[b]chromene derivatives and their acid-catalyzed rearrangement

The reaction of the zwitterionic intermediate, generated in situ from either tert-butylisocyanide or cyclohexylisocyanide and acetylenedicarboxylates, with 3-cyanochromones is described, whereupon spirochromenofuran derivatives 5 or 6 were obtained in good yields. The subsequent acid-catalyzed rearrangement of the isolated 2-imino-spirochromenofurans 5 to 2-amino-spirochromenofurans 7 has also been studied. Rational mechanistic schemes for the formation of compounds 5, 6, and 7 are proposed. The structure elucidation of the products was accomplished by 1D and 2D NMR experiments and confirmed by X-ray crystallographic analysis. Full assignment of all (1)H and (13)C NMR chemical shifts has been unambiguously achieved with the aid of DFT/GIAO calculations.

CF2-containing acetylenephosphonates in heterocyclization reactions: the first synthesis of 2-difluoromethyl azaxanth-3-ylphosphonates

Acetylenephosphonates carrying the XCF(2) group have been studied in a base-mediated heterocyclization reaction with selected 2-amino-3-formylchromones to give 2-difluoromethyl azaxanth-3-ylphosphonates. The presence of the fluorinated substituent determined the regioselectivity as well as the reactivity of this process.