Lewis acid-catalyzed reactions of anthrone: Preference for cycloaddition reaction over conjugate addition depending on the functionality of α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds

Abstract

The Lewis acid-catalyzed reactions of anthrone with a variety of ethylenic substrates under various conditions have been studied. It has been observed that depending on kinds of ethylenic substrates and catalysts, products were varied. In particular, the ZnCl2-catalyzed reaction of anthrone with α,β-unsaturated ester gave bridged compounds 3 (Diels-Alder adduct type) and mono-Michael adduct 4 exclusively, while the base-catalyzed reaction gave 10,10-bis-Michael adduct as a major product independent of the amount of ethylenic substrate and base. Bridged compounds 3 were easily converted to the corresponding mono-Michael adduct 4 by a catalytic amount of base. Further Michael reaction of mono-Michael adducts with different ethylenic substrates in the presence of a catalytic amount of alkoxide gave unsymmetrical 10,10-bis Michael adducts in good or moderate yields.