[reaction: see text] An efficient synthesis of enone 4, representing the ABC ring motif of norzoanthamine, is presented. The crucial C22 quaternary center was introduced via a stereoselective methylation of enone 8. The trans-anti-trans relative configuration of the ABC framework of 4 was installed via a sequence of reactions that included a hydroboration and a modified Robinson annulation.

An expedient synthetic route for 3-aryl beta-carbolin-1-ones was developed starting from ethyl acetamidocyanoacetate and chalcone derivatives. The five- and six-membered nitrogen-containing rings in the beta-carbolin-1-ones were elaborated efficiently by an intramolecular ketone-nitrile annulation and an intramolecular N-arylation of amide respectively.

A practical approach for preparing 3,4-fused 2-quinolones has been disclosed. The Rh( iii )-catalyzed highly selective alkenyl C–H activation/annulation of 4-amino-2-quinolones was achieved via an unprecedented reversible alkyne insertion.

A convenient and efficient phosphine-catalyzed sequential annulation domino reaction between dienic sulfones and MBH carbonates has been developed. In the presence of 20 mol% of tris(4-fluorophenyl)phosphine, functionalized bicyclo[4.1.0]heptenes were prepared in excellent yields and stereoselectivities under mild conditions.

The palladium-catalysed intramolecular α-arylation of carbonyl compounds with amino-tethered 2- and 3-iodoindoles provides a useful methodology for the synthesis of indolo-b-fused nitrogen heterocycles. A variety of substituted tetrahydro β- and γ-carbolines, and pyrrolo[3,4-b]indoles, have been prepared by means of this palladium-catalysed annulation process.

Where HAS you been? A manganese-mediated annulation of 2-isocyanobiaryls with organoboronic acids is developed for the synthesis of a broad range of phenanthridine derivatives. Mechanistic studies indicate that the reaction proceeds by the intramolecular homolytic aromatic substitution (HAS) of an imidoyl radical intermediate.

A new and mild synthetic approach for the synthesis of 6-unsubstituted phenanthridine and phenanthridine-like compounds under metal-free conditions at room temperature has been developed. The strategy involved a tandem azide rearrangement/intramolecular annulation and oxidation reactions of biarylmethyl azide precursors to obtain the desired products in up to 99% yields with high regioselectivity.

A highly efficient and straightforward three-component cascade reaction was developed to synthesize benzo[g]imidazo[1,2-a]quinolinedione derivatives from heterocyclic ketene aminals (HKAs), aldehydes, and 2-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone (HNQ) via Et(3)N-catalyzed tandem [3 + 2 + 1] annulation under solvent-free conditions. The reactions were very mild, convenient and highly regioselective to form ...

A novel Ag(I)-induced three-component annulation reaction of [60]fullerene with sulfonylhydrazones and nitriles has been developed for the efficient synthesis of diverse disubstituted [60]fullerene-fused dihydropyrroles. The reaction exhibits a broad substrate scope and excellent functional-group tolerance, and also allows for the synthesis of fullerene-bound macromolecules.

A palladium-catalyzed annulation of ortho-vinylanilines with dimethyl sulfoxide was developed to access 4-aryl quinolines in moderate to good yields. Activated by 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane bis(sulfur dioxide) adduct (DABSO), DMSO served as a "[double bond, length as m-dash]CH-" fragment in this transformation. It represents a facile pathway leading to 4-aryl quinolines.