Catalytic Synthesis of Coumarins via Direct Annulations of α,β-Unsaturated Aldehydes and Salicylaldehydes

Abstract

The first organocatalytic approach towards substituted coumarins is reported. Catalytic amounts of in situ generated N-­heterocyclic carbenes (NHC) catalyze a one-pot redox esterification of α,β-unsaturated aldehydes with simultaneous aldol condensation.

domino reactions - heterocycles - umpolung

References and Notes

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Typical Procedure
To a round-bottom flask with reflux condenser under argon atmosphere were added salicylaldehyde (20 µL, 23 mg, 0.19 mmol), crotonaldehyde (23 µL, 19 mg, 0.28 mmol, 1.5 equiv), 1,3-diisopropyl-imidazolium chloride (7.0 mg, 37 µmol, 20 mol%), Cs₂CO₃ (60 mg, 0.19 mmol, 1.0 equiv) and o-xylene (1.0 mL). The reaction mixture was heated to 120 ˚C for 12 h. Then H₂O (10 mL) was added, and the resulting mixture was extracted with EtOAc (3 × 10 mL). The combined organic extracts were washed with brine (10 ml), dried over MgSO₄, and evaporated under reduced pressure. Purification by chromatography on silica gel, eluting with PE-EtOAc (20:1), yielded the desired product 4ac (26 mg, 81%) as a pale yellow solid.