Changing the reaction pathway by NHC/Brønsted base cooperative catalysis: highly stereoselective synthesis of multifunctional benzo[a]fluoren-11-ones from the dimerization of 2-(aroylvinyl)arylaldehydes

J Org Chem. 2014 Mar 7;79(5):2075-81. doi: 10.1021/jo4027758. Epub 2014 Feb 13.

Abstract

The unprecedented NHC/Brønsted base-cocatalyzed dimerization reaction of 2-(aroylvinyl)arylaldehydes was reported. In the presence of a triazole carbene catalyst alone, no reaction of 2-(aroylvinyl)arylaldehydes was observed. However, the combination of triazole carbene and 4-methoxyphenolate efficiently catalyzed the dimerization of 2-(aroylvinyl)arylaldehydes to proceed through a benzoin-Michael-Michael reaction cascade, producing 6-aroyl-5-(aroylmethyl)-11a-hydroxybenzo[a]fluoren-11-ones as the sole diastereomers in good yields.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aldehydes / chemistry*
  • Benzoin / chemistry*
  • Catalysis
  • Dimerization
  • Fluorenes / chemical synthesis*
  • Fluorenes / chemistry*
  • Molecular Structure
  • Stereoisomerism

Substances

  • Aldehydes
  • Fluorenes
  • Benzoin