A concise synthesis of chilenine via a sequential reaction process

A new short synthesis of chilenine has been achieved in two steps. The precursor amide was readily prepared by the condensation of the corresponding amine and acid. Treatment of the amide with oxalyl chloride in the presence of AlCl₃ at room temperature afforded the desired product chilenine through sequential Friedel-Crafts acylation, amide cyclization to imide, and intramolecular Friedel-Crafts type reaction. The synthesis suggests a new potential of oxalyl chloride for a two-carbon synthon.