The first TDAE-initiated reaction between benzonitrile derivatives as substrates and substituted benzaldehydes to form substituted hydroxyethylbenzonitrile derivatives is reported. The 2-hydroxyethyl benzonitrile derivatives thus formed were good candidates for one-pot lactonization in a mixture of hydrochloric acid and methanol at 70 °C over five hours. These reactions furnished the corresponding 3-substituted isochroman-1-one derivatives in good yields.
Key words
TDAE - benzonitrile - benzaldehydes - one-pot lactonization - isochroman-1-one
