Rh(III)-Catalyzed C8-Spiroannulation of 1-Aminonaphthalenes with Maleimides

J Org Chem. 2023 Aug 4;88(15):11227-11239. doi: 10.1021/acs.joc.3c01258. Epub 2023 Jul 18.

Abstract

The rhodium(III)-catalyzed C8-spiroannulation of 1-aminonaphthalenes with maleimides is described herein. Initially formed C8-alkenylated 1-aminonaphthalenes can intercept nucleophilic 1-amino groups through the intramolecular aza-Michael reaction, resulting in the formation of spirofused tetracyclic frameworks. This protocol displayed a wide substrate scope and a broad functional group compatibility. The synthetic utility of this process is demonstrated by the gram-scale synthesis, late-stage modification, and synthetic transformations.