Improved Synthesis of 2,2‐Arylmethylene Bis(3‐hydroxy‐5,5‐dimethyl‐2‐cyclohexene‐1‐one) and 1,8‐Dioxo‐octahydroxanthene Derivatives Catalyzed by Electrogenerated Base and Sulfuric Acid

An efficient method has been developed for the synthesis of 1,8‐dioxo‐octahydroxanthene derivatives in two‐step. In the first step, the electrogenerated base (EGB) catalyzed multicomponent transformation of dimedone and aromatic aldehydes in an undivided cell in the presence of sodium bromide as an electrolyte into 2,2′‐arylmethylene bis(3‐hydroxy‐5,5‐dimethyl‐2‐cyclohexene‐1‐one) at room temperature. In the second step, H₂SO₄ was employed as a dehydrating reagent for the cyclization process to give symmetrical heterocycles 1,8‐dioxo‐octahydroxanthene derivatives. Short reaction time, convenient work up, and using of inexpensive reagents, simple equipment, novel and eco‐friendly procedure make this strategy more useful for the preparation of xanthene derivatives.