Annulative Morita-Baylis-Hillman reaction to synthesise chiral dibenzocycloheptanes.

We describe the first metal-free and organocatalytic strategy to access highly functionalised dibenzocycloheptanes via a phosphine-promoted annulative Morita-Baylis-Hillman (MBH) reaction. The method is manipulated to access to chiral dibenzocycloheptanes as well. This work represents a rare entry for the construction of seven-membered carbocycles via the MBH route. The realisation of several bioactive molecules possessing the dibenzocycloheptane core makes this an attractive strategy.

An enantioselective organocatalytic intramolecular Morita-Baylis-Hillman (IMBH) reaction of dienones, and elaboration of the IMBH adducts to fluorenones.

An enantioselective organocatalytic intramolecular Morita-Baylis-Hillman (IMBH) reaction of dienones is reported for the first time. This has been achieved by incorporating entropy and synergy considerations during the substrate design. The reaction conditions are thoroughly verified for an efficient synthesis of highly functionalised cyclopenta-fused arenes and heteroarenes in excellent yields and enantioselectivities. The synthetic utility of the IMBH-adducts has been demonstrated by transforming them into 3,4-disubstituted fluorenones in a serendipitous manner.