A Cycloaddition Approach toward the Synthesis of Substituted Indolines and Tetrahydroquinolines

The intramolecular Diels-Alder reaction of 2-substituted aminofurans (IMDAF) results in the formation of various indolines and tetrahydroquinolines. The isolation of these ring systems from the IMDAF reaction can be rationalized in terms of an initial 4 + 2]-cycloaddition that first produces an oxa-bridged cycloadduct, which was not detected since it readily underwent nitrogen-assisted ring opening. Proton exchange followed by an eventual dehydration provides the aromatic product. In certain cases, the intermediate cyclohexadienol can be isolated and independently converted to the final product in high yield. The starting 2-aminofurans were readily prepared from furanyl acyl azide by a Curtius rearrangement in the presence of an alcohol. Alkylation of the resulting N-alkyl carbamate with an alkenyl bromide allows for the synthesis of a wide variety of cycloaddition precursors. The scope of the IMDAF reaction was evaluated by using mono- and disubstituted alkenes, electron rich and electron deficient olefins, and acetylenic tethers. Cyclic 2-amidofurans were also synthesized using a related intramolecular Diels-Alder reaction of 2-amido-substituted oxazoles which contain a tethered alkyne. This transformation represents a new route to this rare heterocyclic ring system. The sequential cycloaddition method was used for a formal synthesis of the pyrrolophenanthridone alkaloid hippadine.