Intramolecular Base-Free Catalytic Wittig Reaction: Synthesis of Benzoxepinones

J Org Chem. 2019 Feb 1;84(3):1320-1329. doi: 10.1021/acs.joc.8b02789. Epub 2019 Jan 22.

Abstract

A straightforward two-step synthesis of benzoxepinones was developed via base-free phosphane-catalyzed Wittig reaction. 3-Methyl-1-phenyl-2-phospholene 1-oxide was used as a precatalyst and trimethoxysilane as a reducing agent. Additionally benzoic acid is employed as a catalyst to facilitate the reduction of the phosphane oxide. Mechanistic investigation revealed the formation of a coumarin as a side product, which was identified by 2D NMR experiments. First results of metabolic activity tests on the prepared benzoxepinones are reported.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't