Multicomponent Condensation Reactions via ortho-Quinone Methides.

Iron(III) salts promote the condensation of aldehydes or acetals with electron-rich phenols to generate ortho-quinone methides that undergo Diels-Alder condensations with alkenes. The reaction sequence occurs in a single vessel to afford benzopyrans in up to 95% yield. The reaction was discovered while investigating a two-component strategy using 2-(hydroxy(phenyl)methyl)phenols to access the desired ortho-quinone methide in a Diels-Alder condensation. The two-component condensation also afforded the corresponding benzopyran products in yields up to 97%. Taken together, the two- and three-component strategies using ortho-quinone methide intermediates provide efficient access to benzopyrans in good yields and selectivities.

Synthesis of spirocarbamate oxindoles via intramolecular trapping of a ß-silyl carbocation by an N-Boc group.

We report the Lewis acid catalyzed additions of allylsilanes to N-Boc-iminooxindoles and the formation of novel silicon-containing spirocarbamates via intramolecular trapping of a ß-silyl carbocation by an N-Boc group. Several transformations display the synthetic utility of these spirocarbamate oxindoles, including a reductive cyclization to access new silylated furoindoline derivatives.