Manganese(III)-mediated carbon-carbon bond formation in the reaction of xanthenes with active methylene compounds

Abstract

Oxidation of xanthenes with manganese(III) acetate in the presence of active methylene compounds such as 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds, malononitrile derivatives, acetone, and nitromethane selectively gives 9-substitued xanthene derivatives in good yields. A similar oxidation of thioxanthene also yields 2-(9-thioxanthenyl)-1,3-dicarbonyl compounds in 57-91% yields. The obtained 2-(9-xanthenyl)-1,3-dicarbonyl compounds are readily converted to 2-(9-xanthenylidene)-1,3-dicarbonyl derivatives using manganese(III) complexes or 2,3-dichloro 5,6-dicyano-1,4-benzoquinone