RESUMO
Oxabicyclo[n.3.1]alkene scaffolds present in a diverse range of complex natural products have been accessed by reacting 2-cycloalkenones with 1,3-cycloalkadiones in a micellar medium. This reaction occurring in a micellar confinement environment operates through a Michael addition/enolization/oxygen addition cascade to furnish highly functionalized constructs using a sustainable organic synthesis protocol. NMR analysis confirms that the locus of the solubilizates is within the palisade and stern regions of the micellar cavity.
RESUMO
A novel Morita-Baylis-Hillman reaction employing electron-deficient alkenes like acrylonitrile with a wide range of aryl and aliphatic ketones using cooperative catalysis in micellar media has been delineated. This transformation executed in water under mild reaction conditions in a confined environment of micelles is aligned to the ideas of sustainable and green chemistry. The site of the reaction was established by incisive proton NMR studies in the palisade region of the micellar assembly. This study is expected to encourage the use of micellar catalysis for energetically less favorable chemical reactions.