Synthesis of annulated oxa-triquinanes and oxa-diquinanes via cascade Michael addition-intramolecular alkylation involving α-halodicyclopentadienones

Diastereoselective synthesis of highly substituted cyclohexanones and tetrahydrochromene-4-ones via conjugate addition of curcumins to arylidenemalonates

A cascade inter-intramolecular double Michael strategy for the synthesis of highly functionalized cyclohexanones from curcumins and arylidenemalonates is reported. This strategy works in the presence of aqueous KOH using TBAB as a suitable phase transfer catalyst at room temperature. The functionalized cyclohexanones are formed as major products in moderate to excellent yields with complete diastereoselectivity in most cases. A triple Michael adduct, tetrahydrochromen-4-one, is also formed as a side product in a few cases with excellent diastereoselectivity.

The Michael donor-acceptor reactivity of curcumins in the synthesis of diverse multi-functional scaffolds

Curcumin is a key constituent of turmeric with a variety of biological activities. From a chemical point of view, curcumin contains different functional groups that can undergo multiple transformations such as Michael addition, cycloaddition, click reaction, polymerisation, etc. Among these, Michael-type reactions under benign conditions constitute a captivating domain of curcumin's reactivity. To the best of our knowledge, no review focusing on the Michael donor-acceptor reactivity of curcumins has been published to date. Herein, we have compiled the chemistry of curcumins with respect to their chemical synthesis, biosynthesis, and involvement in chemical transformations, especially in Michael additions with advances in mechanistic aspects and understanding.

Regio- and stereoselective synthesis of functionalized tetrahydro-benzochromenes and hexahydrochromenochromenones via [4 + 2] annulation of curcumins with nitrochromenes

A base-mediated regio- and stereoselective synthesis of functionalized tetrahydro-6H-benzo[c]chromenes and hexahydro-1H,6H-chromeno[6,5-c]chromenone is disclosed here. It involves a [4 + 2] annulation via cascade double and triple Michael reactions between curcumins and nitrochromenes in the presence of Cs₂CO₃ and DBU, respectively, at room temperature, and it offers a diverse array of products as single regio- and diastereomers in excellent yields under mild conditions. Preliminary studies towards developing an enantioselective version under organocatalytic conditions met with only limited success but revealed a potentially interesting kinetic resolution pathway.

Regio- and stereoselective synthesis of functionalized and fused heterocycles from Morita-Baylis-Hillman adducts of dicyclopentadienone

An efficient protocol for the Morita-Baylis-Hillman (MBH) reaction of dicyclopentadienone using CTAB has been developed. The MBH adduct was subsequently transformed to its acetate and bromide derivatives. The 1,3-bielectrophilic character of the MBH acetate and bromide was further explored with various 1,3-binucleophiles to construct various oxa-, thia- and aza-heterocycles. These reactions proceed through a cascade double Michael addition of 1,3-binucleophiles to the MBH acetate/bromide under basic conditions. Amenability of these reactions to scale-up and applications of the products in the synthesis of cyclopentenone-fused chromenones and thiopyranoindoles have been demonstrated.

Synthesis of β-triazolylenones via metal-free desulfonylative alkylation of N-tosyl-1,2,3-triazoles

Desulfonylative alkylation of N-tosyl-1,2,3-triazoles under metal-free conditions leading to β-triazolylenones is reported here. The present study encompasses the synthesis of triazoles with a new substitution pattern in a single step from cyclic 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds and N-tosyl triazole in moderate to high yields. Our synthesis takes place with complete regioselectivity as confirmed by crystallographic analysis which is rationalized by a suitable mechanistic proposal. This method provides an efficient, versatile and straightforward strategy towards the synthesis of new functionalized 1,2,3-triazoles.

Diastereoselective ABB' Three-Component Synthesis of Highly Functionalized Spirooxindoles Bearing Five Consecutive Asymmetric Carbons

The synthesis of spirooxindoles bearing tetrahydro-4 H-cyclopenta[ b]furan framework was established starting from isatin-derived aldehydes and 2 equiv of 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds involving a piperidine-catalyzed ABB' three-component domino process. This reaction was highly diastereoselective affording a single diastereomer of spirooxindoles with five consecutive asymmetric carbons including spiro and tetrasubstituted carbon centers. In addition, this waste-free (-2H₂O) reaction showed high atom economy and step economy by creating four new bonds, including three C-C bonds and one C-O bond, and two rings (one carbo- and one heterocyclic) in a single operation. The mechanism of this three-component domino process involved sequential Knoevenagel condensation-Michael addition-intramolecular oxa-Michael addition-intramolecular aldol reactions.