Tandem versus single C-C bond forming reaction under palladium-copper catalysis: regioselective synthesis of α-pyrones fused with thiophene

We herein report a highly convenient protocol for rapid construction of α-pyrone fused with thiophene. This includes one-pot and regioselective synthesis of 4,5-disubstituted and 5-substituted thieno[2,3-c]pyran-7-ones, 6,7-disubstituted and 6-substituted thieno[3,2-c]pyran-4-ones. The synthesis of thieno[2,3-c]pyran-7-ones involves palladium mediated cross coupling of 3-iodothiophene-2-carboxylic acid with terminal alkynes in a simple synthetic operation. The coupling-cyclization reaction was initially studied in the presence of Pd(PPh₃)₂Cl₂ and CuI in a variety of solvents. 5-Substituted 4-alkynylthieno[2,3-c]pyran-7-ones were isolated in good yields when the reaction was performed in DMF. Similarly, 6-substituted 7-alkynylthieno[3,2-c]pyran-4-ones were synthesized via palladium-catalyzed cross coupling of 2-bromothiophene-3-carboxylic acid with terminal alkynes. A tandem C-C bond forming reaction in the presence of palladium catalyst rationalizes the formation of coupled product in this apparently three-component reaction. The cyclization step of this coupling-cyclization-coupling process occurs in a regioselective fashion to furnish products containing six-membered ring only. This sequential C-C bond forming reaction however, can be restricted to the formation of single C-C bond by using 10% Pd/C-Et₃N-CuI-PPh₃ as catalyst system in the cross coupling reaction. 5-Substituted thieno[2,3-c]pyran-7-ones were obtained in good yields when the coupling reaction was performed under this condition. Some of the compounds synthesized were tested in vitro for their anticancer activities.