Synthesis of substituted phenols via 1,1-dichloro-2-nitroethene promoted condensation of carbonyl compounds with DMF

A novel and efficient metal-free synthesis of phenolic compounds was developed via coupling cyclization of DMF as a carbon source with active methylene compounds such as 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds with the assistance of 1,1-dichloro-2-nitroethene. The method we used was different from other traditional phenol functionalization methods. In the reaction, the 1,1-dichloro-2-nitroethene as a promoter which unlike our previous research on 1,1-dichloro-2-nitroethene. The method allows the convenient construction of phenolic compounds under mild reaction conditions and moderate yields.