Exploration of a Au(i)-mediated three-component reaction for the synthesis of DNA-tagged highly substituted spiroheterocycles.

We demonstrate a Au(i)-mediated three-component reaction to DNA-tagged highly substituted 6-oxa-1,2-diazaspiro[4.4]nonanes from either DNA-coupled aldehydes, hydrazides, or alkynols. The choice of the starting material coupled to the DNA tag was critial for the purity of the product as the DNA-aldehyde conjugate yielded the purest products, whereas the alkynol- and hydrazide conjugates returned complex product mixtures. The reaction was compatible with thymine-, cytosine-, and, surprisingly, with adenine-DNA, while guanine-containing DNA strands were degraded under the reaction conditions.

Synthesis of fluorenone and anthraquinone derivatives from aryl- and aroyl-substituted propiolates.

Fluorenone derivatives were generated from aryl-substituted propiolates via a cobalt-catalyzed Diels-Alder reaction/DDQ-oxidation and Friedel-Crafts-type cyclization. Several functional groups are tolerated, and good to excellent overall yields (up to 89%) could be achieved. For the synthesis of anthraquinone derivatives, aroyl-substituted propiolates were applied in a zinc iodide catalyzed Diels-Alder reaction with 1,3-dienes. The subsequent DDQ oxidation and Friedel-Crafts-type cyclization led to symmetrical as well as some unsymmetrical anthraquinones in good to excellent yields of up to 87% over the three-step reaction sequence.