Organocatalytic Dearomative Spirocyclization Reaction of Enone-Tethered α-and β-Naphthols and Dearomatization Reaction of In Situ Generated Nitro-Olefin-Tethered α-Naphthols

Herein, we report a catalytic dearomative spirocyclization reaction of new substrates having aryl/alkyl enone tethered α- and β-naphthols and a dearomatization reaction of in situ generated nitro-olefin-tethered α-naphthols. The spirocarbocycles were obtained in moderate to good yields with high diastereoselectivities. A preliminary catalytic asymmetric variant was reported. A few applications such as hydrogenations and epoxidation reaction have also been demonstrated. Theoretical study has also been performed to understand high diastereoselectivity in the triethylamine catalyzed spirocyclization reaction.

A reusable polymer anchored pyridine mediated formal [4 + 1] annulation reaction for the diastereoselective synthesis of 2,3-dihydrobenzofurans

We have developed a highly stereoselective formal [4 + 1] annulation reaction to construct trans-2,3-dihydrobenzofurans utilising in situ generated supported pyridinium ylide. This approach has excellent substrate versatility and gram-scale synthesis capability. Moreover, the polymer-anchored pyridine has been recovered and reused multiple times. The product has been transformed into valuable molecules.

Stereodivergent Synthesis of Enantioenriched 2,3-Disubstituted Dihydrobenzofurans via a One-Pot C-H Functionalization/Oxa-Michael Addition Cascade

A one-pot rhodium-catalyzed C-H functionalization/organocatalyzed oxa-Michael addition cascade reaction has been developed. This methodology enables the stereodivergent synthesis of diverse 2,3-disubstituted dihydrobenzofurans with broad functional group compatibility in good yields with high levels of stereoselectivity under exceptionally mild conditions. The full complement of stereoisomers of chiral 2,3-disubstituted dihydrobenzofurans and 3,4-disubstituted isochromans could be accessed at will by appropriate permutations of the two chiral catalysts. The current work provides a rare example of two chiral catalysts independently controlling two contiguous stereogenic centers subsequently via a two-step reaction in a single operation.

Dihydronaphthofurans: synthetic strategies and applications

Dihydronaphthofurans (DHNs) are an important class of arene ring-fused furans which are widely found in many natural and non-natural products and drug candidates with relevant biological and pharmacological activities. Furthermore, vinylidene-naphthofurans exhibit photochromic properties when exposed to UV or sun light at room temperature. For these reasons, a vast array of synthetic procedures for the preparation of dihydronaphthofurans including annulation of naphthols with various reagents, cycloaddition reactions ([3 + 2], [4 + 1] and Diels-Alder), intramolecular transannulation, Friedel-Crafts, Wittig, Claisen rearrangement, neophyl rearrangement and other reactions under various conditions have been developed over the past decades. This review aims to describe the different strategies developed so far for the synthesis of dihydronaphthofurans and their applications. After a brief introduction to the types of dihydronaphthofurans and their biological activities, the different synthetic approaches such as chemical, photochemical, and electrochemical, methods are described and organized on the basis of the catalysts and the other reagents employed in the syntheses. The subsequent section focuses on biological and pharmacological applications and photochromic properties of the target compounds.

An elimination/Heck coupling/allylation cascade reaction: synthesis of 2,3-dihydrobenzofurans from allenoate adducts

A highly regio- and stereoselective Pd-catalyzed cascade reaction of allenoate adducts has been developed. Various allenoate adducts of phosphine-catalyzed addition of allenoates are found to be efficient substrates for the preparation of 2,3-dihydrobenzofuran. It is the first example of allenoate adducts used as ideal and practical precursors of hard-to-get functionalized 1,3-butadienes for heterocycle synthesis.

Campestarenes: new building blocks with 5-fold symmetry

New campestarene derivatives bear functional groups designed to facilitate the formation of supramolecular assemblies of these 5-fold symmetric building blocks.

Enantioselective synthesis of cyclopenta[b]benzofurans via an organocatalytic intramolecular double cyclization

An enantioselective organocatalytic strategy, combining Brønsted base and N-heterocyclic carbene catalysis in a unique manner, is demonstrated for a concise construction of the privileged cyclopenta[b]benzofuran scaffold, present in many bioactive compounds having both academic and commercial interests. The reaction concept relies on an intramolecular one-pot double cyclization involving a cycle-specific enantioselective Michael addition followed by a benzoin condensation of ortho-substituted cinnamaldehydes. Cyclopenta[b]benzofurans were achieved in moderate to good yields, with excellent stereoselectivities. A proof of principle for a diastereodivergent variation is demonstrated through the synthesis of cyclopenta[b]benzofurans containing two contiguous aromatic substituents in a substitution pattern present in commercial and natural compounds. Furthermore, several transformations have been performed, demonstrating the synthetic utility of the products. Finally, insights into the activation mode and stereoindution models are presented for this new synthetic strategy.

Regiodivergent condensation of 5-alkoxycarbonyl-1H-pyrrol-2,3-diones with cyclic ketazinones en route to spirocyclic scaffolds

The condensation of 5-alkoxycarbonyl-1H-pyrrolediones with cyclic ketazinones was systematically investigated. It was discovered that the regioselectivity of this reaction can be easily swapped between two alternative directions affording derivatives of partially hydrogenated indole or benzofurane. The control of this regioselectivity is efficiently governed by steric effects at the hydrazone moiety of the ketazinone reagent.