K2CO3-mediated synthesis of functionalised 4-substituted-2-amino-3-cyano-4H-chromenes via Michael-cyclization reactions.

An efficient approach for the synthesis of functionalized 4-substituted-2-amino-3-cyano-4H-chromenes moderate to high yields (up to 98%) has been achieved via a tandem K2CO3 catalyzed conjugate addition-cyclization reaction of malononitrile and a range of Knoevenagel adducts previously formed from oxindole, pyrazolone, nitromethane, N,N-dimethylbarbituric acid or indanedione. This methodology differs from the previous classical methods in its simplicity and ready availability of the catalyst.