Stereoselective synthesis of 6/7/6-fused heterocycles with multiple stereocenters via an internal redox reaction/inverse electron-demand hetero-Diels–Alder reaction sequence.

A highly stereoselective synthesis of fused heterocycles with multiple stereocenters via an internal redox reaction/inverse electron-demand hetero-Diels–Alder (IEDHDA) reaction sequence is described. The present reaction sequence has three interesting features: (1) complete control of two potentially competitive processes, i.e., hetero-Diels–Alder reaction and [1,5]-hydride shift; (2) one-shot construction of the complicated 6/7/6-fused heterocyclic structure having multiple stereocenters; and (3) high control of its stereoselectivity. When alkenylidene barbiturates with an allyl benzyl ether moiety were treated with a catalytic amount of Sc(OTf)3 and 2,2′-bipyridine, the internal redox reaction/IEDHDA reaction proceeded successively to afford 6/7/6-fused heterocycles in good chemical yields with good to excellent diastereoselectivities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]