Recent applications of 1,3-indanedione in organic transformations for the construction of fused- and spiro scaffolds

Abstract

Indanedione structural motifs are widely distributed in natural products, pharmaceuticals and functional materials. In particular, 1,3-indanedione has attracted considerable attention due to easy availability and versatile reactivity for various organic transformations. In fact, recent years have witnessed a number of novel strategies for the construction of diverse annulated systems involving 1,3-indanediones. The present review emphasizes recent (2015–2021) applications of 1,3-indanedione in organic transformations to build fused- and spiro scaffolds. In this regard, synthesis of a variety of nitrogen- and oxygen containing fused heterocyclic systems are illustrated. Formation of several complex spiro-heterocycles/carbocycles has also been highlighted. In most cases, reaction mechanisms are highlighted for better understanding of reaction pathway. Significantly, the reactions described in this review involve readily available starting materials, cheap catalysts, one-pot under mild conditions and environmentally benign. Some of the reactions have been effective for the synthesis of biologically active heterocycles.