Diversity-oriented one-pot synthesis of furan based densely substituted biheteroaryls via isocyanide insertion

Abstract

A facile and efficient acid-catalyzed cascade reaction for the synthesis of novel biheteroaryl structural motifs containing densely functionalized furans has been developed. The reaction sequence involves a Knoevenagel condensation of arylglyoxals with aroyl or heteroaroylacetonitrile and subsequently an isocyanide insertion via formal [4+1] cycloaddition followed by rapid [1,3]-H shift to afford uniquely decorated novel biheterocycles. Furthermore, the scope of the methodology was extended to diverse biheteroaryls by employing 3-(2-furyl)-3-oxopropanenitrile, 3-cyanoacetyl-1-methylindole, 3-oxo-3-(1H-pyrrol-2-yl)propanenitrile, 3-(1H-indol-3-yl)-3-oxopropanenitrile, 3-Oxo-3-(2-thienyl)propionitrile and benzoylacetonitriles.