Tsuji-Trost Based Cascades: From Passerini Adducts of Cinnamaldehyde to Allylated Oxazolones

J Org Chem. 2024 Feb 2;89(3):2009-2013. doi: 10.1021/acs.joc.3c02169. Epub 2024 Jan 12.

Abstract

The Passerini coupling of cinnamaldehyde derivatives affords allylic esters that may behave as both electrophiles and nucleophiles in Tsuji-Trost reactions. We present herein the interaction of the latter with methylallylcarbonate, leading to the formation of oxazolidine-diones. The efficiency of the process relies on the building up of a CO2 overpressure in the medium. A reaction mechanism highlighting the reversibility of the Tsuji-Trost reaction is proposed for the process.