A Pd-catalyzed oxa-(4+4)-cycloaddition between 1-azadienes and (2-hydroxymethyl)allyl carbonates is described. Aurone-derived azadienes furnished polycyclic 1,5-oxazocines in good yields. Interestingly, linear azadienes have also been involved and yielded monocyclic heterocycles with complete regioselectivity. DFT calculations were carried out to gain insight on this observation.
Key words
cycloaddition - catalysis - heterocycles - medium-sized rings - oxazocines - azadienes