Domino reactions of 1,3-bis-silyl enol ethers with benzopyrylium triflates: efficient synthesis of fluorescent 6H-benzo[c]chromen-6-ones, dibenzo[c,d]chromen-6-ones, and 2,3-dihydro-1H-4,6-dioxachrysen-5-ones

The condensation of 1,3-bis-silyl enol ethers with benzopyrylium triflates, generated in situ by the reaction of chromones with Me3SiOTf, afforded functionalized 2,3-dihydrobenzopyrans; treatment of the latter with NEt3 or BBr3 resulted in a domino retro-Michael-aldol-lactonization reaction and the formation of a variety of 7-hydroxy-6H-benzoc]chromen-6-ones. The hydroxy group was functionalized by using Suzuki cross-coupling reactions. The methodology reported was applied to the synthesis of the natural product autumnariol and a new fluorescence dye, which exhibits promising optical properties. 2,3-Dihydro-1H-4,6-dioxachrysen-5-ones were prepared by condensation of chromones with 1,3-bis-silyl enol ethers containing a remote chloride group, domino retro-Michael-aldol-lactonization, and an intramolecular Williamson reaction.