Construction of Unique Spiro[dibenzo[a,f]azulene-6,2'-indenes] via Unprecedented Annulation of ortho-C-H Bond of Benzylidene Group

The domino reaction of alkyl and aryl isocyanides with two molecules of 2-arylidene-1,3-indanediones in acetonitrile at 80 °C resulted in unique functionalized spiro[dibenzo[a,f]azulene-6,2'-indenes] in good yields, in which the two 2-arylidene-1,3-indanediones acted as different building blocks to construct the polycyclic system. More importantly, the unprecedented anticipation of the ortho-position of benzylidene group to form a novel dibenzo[a,f]azulene ring through a formal [5 + 2] cycloaddition process was first observed. On the other hand, DABCO-promoted reaction of the isocyanides with two molecules of 2-arylidene-1,3-indanediones in acetonitrile at 80 °C afforded functionalized spiro[cyclopenta[a]-indene-2,2'-indene] derivatives.

Enantioselective, Decarboxylative (3+2)-Cycloaddition of Azomethine Ylides and Chromone-3-Carboxylic Acids

Herein, we describe the synthesis of a variety of chiral hybrid pyrrolidine-chromanone polycyclic derivatives. A convenient (3+2)-annulation of azomethine ylides with chromone-3-carboxylic acid realized under Brønsted base catalysis produced highly functionalized products in high yields with good stereoselectivities through asymmetric, intermolecular, and decarboxylative (3+2)-cyclization.

Indane-1,3-Dione: From Synthetic Strategies to Applications

Indane-1,3-dione is a versatile building block used in numerous applications ranging from biosensing, bioactivity, bioimaging to electronics or photopolymerization. In this review, an overview of the different chemical reactions enabling access to this scaffold but also to the most common derivatives of indane-1,3-dione are presented. Parallel to this, the different applications in which indane-1,3-dione-based structures have been used are also presented, evidencing the versatility of this structure.

One-pot catalyst-free synthesis of benzopyrroxazine derivatives by a mutually activated sequential annulation process

A one-pot catalyst-free reaction of o-hydroxyaryl azomethine ylides, vinyl pyridines and paraformaldehyde for the synthesis of benzopyrroxazines is reported, which offers a straightforward and atom-economical procedure for the preparation of benzopyrroxazine derivatives in moderate to excellent yields under mild conditions. A self-catalyzed [3 + 2] annulation through a mutual activation method and a sequential non-catalyzed [5 + 1] annulation process contribute to this strategy. The corresponding control experiments have been conducted to reveal the mechanism of this reaction.

Convenient construction of polycyclic architectures via multicomponent reaction of amino acids, dialkyl but-2-ynedioates and 2-(o-hydroxyarylidene)-1,3-indanediones

Unique polyheterocyclic compounds were efficiently synthesized by cascade reaction of the in situ generation of a special kind of azomethine ylide, 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition and annulation of phenoxide.

Perfluoroalkyl-Promoted Synthesis of Perfluoroalkylated Pyrrolidine-Fused Coumarins with Methyl β-Perfluoroalkylpropionates

Employing the methyl β-perfluoroalkylpropionate as the Michael acceptor, an efficient approach for the synthesis of perfluoroalkylated pyrrolidine-fused coumarins has been achieved. A tandem reaction involving [3 + 2] cycloaddition and intramolecular transesterification was proposed for the mechanism. The enhanced electrophilicity resulting from the strong electron-withdrawing ability of the perfluoroalkyl group was crucial for this tandem reaction.

Selective Synthesis of Diverse Spiro-oxindole-fluorene Derivatives via a DABCO-Promoted Annulation Reaction of Bindone and 3-Methyleneoxindoles

A DABCO-promoted annulation reaction of bindone ([1,2'-biindenylidene]-1',3,3'-trione) and 3-methyleneoxindoles showed very interesting molecular diversity under different reaction conditions. The base-promoted annulation reaction of bindone and 3-phenacylideneoxindoles in DCM at room temperature afforded spiro[indeno[1,2-a]fluorene-5,3'-indoline] derivatives in good yields and with high diastereoselectivity. However, the similar reaction of 2-(2-oxoindolin-3-ylidene) acetates resulted in Z/E-isomeric spiro[indeno[1,2-a]fluorene-5,3'-indolines] with diastereomeric ratios of 2:1 to 10:1. On the other hand, the DABCO-promoted annulation reaction of bindone and 3-methyleneoxindoles in acetonitrile at different temperatures selectively gave spiro[benzo[5,6]pentaleno[1,6a-b]naphthalene-7,3'-indoline] derivatives and complex dispiro[indoline-3,6'-[4b,6a]ethanoindeno[1,2-a]fluorene-14',3″-indolines] in satisfactory yields.

Diastereoselective trifunctionalization of pyridinium salts to access structurally crowded azaheteropolycycles

A highly diastereoselective dearomative trifunctionalization of pyridinium salts with multifunctional o-hydroxyl aromatic azomethine ylides has been established, which not only provided a convenient and rapid method to assemble challenging and architecturally crowded chroman-pyrrolidine-hydrogenated pyridine fused pentacycles, but also represented a rare successful example of the higher-order multifunctionalization of pyridiniums.

Enantioselective Synthesis of Spiropyrazolone-Fused Cyclopenta[c]chromen-4-ones Bearing Five Contiguous Stereocenters via (3+2) Cycloaddition

An enantioselective synthesis of spiropyrazolone-fused cyclopenta[c]chromen-4-ones is demonstrated via a (3+2) cycloaddition reaction. The reactions of 3-homoacylcoumarins and α,β-unsaturated pyrazolones in the presence of the cinchona-alkaloid derived hydrogen-bonding catalyst provide aforementioned spiropyrazolone-chromenone adducts bearing five contiguous stereocenters, of which one is the spiro all-carbon quaternary stereocenter in high yields (up to 98%) with good to excellent stereoselectivities (>25:1 dr and up to 99% ee). This one-pot methodology could also be practically demonstrated on a gram-scale with similar efficacy.

Regiodivergent Organocatalytic Reactions

Organocatalysts are abundantly used for various transformations, particularly to obtain highly enantio- and diastereomeric pure products by controlling the stereochemistry. These applications of organocatalysts have been the topic of several reviews. Organocatalysts have emerged as one of the very essential areas of research due to their mild reaction conditions, cost-effective nature, non-toxicity, and environmentally benign approach that obviates the need for transition metal catalysts and other toxic reagents. Various types of organocatalysts including amine catalysts, Brønsted acids, and Lewis bases such as N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) catalysts, cinchona alkaloids, 4-dimethylaminopyridine (DMAP), and hydrogen bond-donating catalysts, have gained renewed interest because of their regioselectivity. In this review, we present recent advances in regiodivergent reactions that are governed by organocatalysts. Additionally, we briefly discuss the reaction pathways of achieving regiodivergent products by changes in conditions such as solvents, additives, or the temperature.

DMAP-Catalyzed Reaction of Diethyl 1,3-Acetonedicarboxylate with 2-Hydroxybenzylideneindenediones: Facile Synthesis of Fluorenone-Fused Coumarins

The base-catalyzed reaction of diethyl 1,3-acetonedicarboxylate with 2-hydroxybenzylidene indenediones was studied. The reaction provides a facile and expeditious protocol for the synthesis of natural product inspired fluorenone-fused coumarins in good to very good yields. This process resembles a combination of domino Michael–intramolecular Knoevenagel–aromatization–lactonization reactions in a single step. Although this reaction operates with many bases, the best yields were obtained with DMAP as a catalyst. This protocol could open new potential avenues for the synthesis of fused coumarins by the reaction of substituted β-keto esters with different 2-(2-hydroxybenzylidenes) of 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds.

Hydroxyl-group-activated azomethine ylides in organocatalytic H-bond-assisted 1,3-dipolar cycloadditions and beyond

1,3-Dipolar cycloaddition constitutes a powerful means for the synthesis of five-membered heterocycles. Recently, the potential of this field of chemistry has been expanded by the employment of organocatalytic activation strategies. One group of substrates, namely imines derived from salicylaldehydes, is particularly useful. Additional activation via intramolecular H-bonding interactions offered by the presence of an ortho-hydroxyl phenolic group in their structure results in increased reactivity of these reactants. Furthermore, it can be utilized in subsequent reactions creating chemical and stereochemical diversity. This minireview provides a summary of the recent progress in this field of organocatalysis and indicates other important applications of hydroxyl-group-activated azomethine ylides in asymmetric organocatalysis.

Chromone–indanedione reactant: a bifunctional 3C synthon for diastereoselective construction of skeleton-diversified bispiro-[chromanocyclopentane-oxindole-indanedione]

A new type of bifunctional 3C synthon, a chromone–indanedione precursor, was employed for diastereoselective Michael/Michael cycloaddition with methyleneindolinones to generate a series of potentially bioactive bispiro-[chromanocyclopentane-oxindole-indanedione] frameworks with skeletal diversity in a single operation.

Domino Reaction of Aromatic Aldehydes and 1,3-Indanediones for Construction of Bicyclo[2.2.2]octanes and Dibenzo[b,g]indeno[1',2':3,4]fluoreno[1,2-d]oxonines

Triethylamine promoted the pseudo-five-component reaction of aromatic aldehyde with four molecules of 1,3-indanediones in refluxing ethanol to give unique polycyclic bicyclo[2.2.2]octane derivatives containing bridged- and spiro-indanone scaffolds in good yields. The mechanistic studies supported that the reaction included base-catalyzed cyclotrimerization of 1,3-indanedione to give an active cyclic diene and the sequential Diels-Alder reaction with in situ generated 2-arylidene-1,3-indanediones as electron-deficient dienophiles. On the other hand, the pseudo-four-component reaction of salicylaldehyde with 1,3-indanedione afforded the dibenzo[b,g]indeno[1',2':3,4]fluoreno[1,2-d]oxonines in high yields. This reaction clearly demonstrated the high efficiency, molecular convergence, atom-economy, and impressive selectivity of multicomponent reactions.

Spiro 1,3-indandiones: intramolecular photochemical reactions of carbonyl groups with carbon–carbon double bonds

Spiro-1,3-indandiones involving a double CC bond undergo photochemical intramolecular reactions affording a variety of polycyclic products.

Recent Advances in Organocatalyzed Asymmetric Synthesis of Benzopyran and Benzodihydropyran (Chromane) Nuclei

Benzopyran and benzodihydropyran (chromane) nuclei are the core structure of many natural products, in particular flavonoids. Many compounds possessing this structure are nutraceuticals, pharmaceutical nutrients. Therefore, benzopyran and chromane scaffolds are important building blocks in organic synthesis and many efforts have been made to set up efficient methods for their synthesis. In particular, asymmetric methods are of great importance, being natural products, and generally chiral substances. This review aims to cover literature in the range 2017–first half of 2019.

Construction of Dispiro-Indenone Scaffolds via Domino Cycloaddition Reactions of α,β-Unsaturated Aldimines with 2-Arylidene-1,3-indenediones and 2,2'-(Arylmethylene)bis(1,3-indenediones)

The catalyst-free domino reaction of α,β-unsaturated N-alkyl or N-arylaldimines with two molecules of 2-arylidene-1,3-indanediones in dry acetonitrile resulted in polysubstituted spiro[indene-2,3'-indeno[2',1':5,6]pyrano[2,3-b]pyridines] in moderate to good yields and with high diastereoselectivity. The reaction mechanism included sequential aza/oxa-Diels-Alder reactions via both endo-transition states. On the other hand, the catalyst-free domino reaction of α,β-unsaturated N-arylaldimines with 2,2'-(arylmethylene)bis(1,3-indenediones) afforded the mixed diastereoisomeric dispiro[indene-2,1'-cyclohexane-3',2″-indene] derivatives in satisfactory yields. The reaction mechanism of this formal [3 + 3] cycloaddition was believed to proceed with sequential nucleophilic 1,4-/1,2-additions.

Synthesis of α-CF3-proline derivatives by means of a formal (3 + 2)-cyclisation between trifluoropyruvate imines and Michael acceptors

We herein report the first formal (3 + 2)-cyclisation between 3,3,3-trifluoropyruvate-derived imines and indandione-based Michael acceptors. This reaction gives access to a novel class of spirocyclic α-CF3-α-proline derivatives with complete control of the diastereoselectivity under phase transfer-catalysed reaction conditions.

Double 1,3-Dipolar Cycloadditions of Two Nonstabilized Azomethine Ylides for Polycyclic Pyrrolidines

Nonstabilized azomethine ylides derived from decarboxylation of oxazolidin-5-ones were used for double 1,3-dipolar cycloadditions in diastereoselective synthesis of pyrrolidine-containing tetracyclic compounds. This is the first example of one-pot and five-component reactions involving two nonstabilized azomethine ylides. Only CO₂ and water were generated as byproducts.

Intramolecular hydrogen-bonding-assisted phosphine-catalysed [3 + 2] cyclisation of ynones with o-hydroxy/amino benzaldehydes

A new strategy for the synthesis of functionalized tetrahydrofuran derivatives was developed via a phosphine-catalysed [3 + 2] annulation reaction of aromatic aldehydes with 4-phenylbut-3-yn-2-one.

Construction of indeno[1,2-a]fluorene via domino reaction of 1,3-indanedione and 3-arylideneindolin-2-ones or chalcones

The base promoted domino reaction of 1,3-indanedione with 3-arylideneindolin-2-ones or chalcones afforded novel polysubstituted indeno[1,2-a]fluorenes.