Transition-Metal-Free Cross-Coupling of Indium Organometallics with Chromene and Isochroman Acetals Mediated by BF3·OEt2

Org Lett. 2016 Sep 2;18(17):4316-9. doi: 10.1021/acs.orglett.6b02058. Epub 2016 Aug 17.

Abstract

A transition-metal-free coupling of triorganoindium reagents with benzopyranyl acetals mediated by a Lewis acid has been developed. The reaction of R3In with chromene and isochroman acetals in the presence of BF3·OEt2 afforded 2-substituted chromenes and 1-substituted isochromans, respectively, in good yields. The reactions proceed with a variety of triorganoindium reagents (aryl, heteroaryl, alkynyl, alkenyl, alkyl) using only 50 mol % of the organometallic, thus demonstrating the efficiency of these species. Preliminary mechanistic studies indicate the formation of an oxocarbenium ion intermediate in the presence of the Lewis acid.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't