An efficient novel synthesis of β-(azuleno[1,2-b]benzothienyl)- and β-(azuleno[2,1-b]benzothienyl)-α,β-unsaturated ketones by the tropylium ion-mediated intramolecular furan ring-opening reaction and X-ray investigation of methyl ketone derivative

Abstract

Intramolecular reaction of 2-tropylio-3-(5-substituted 2-furyl)benzothiophenes (3), prepared from the corresponding 2-cycloheptatrienyl-3-(5-substituted 2-furyl)benzothiophenes (2), afforded the β-(azuleno[1,2-b]benzothienyl)-α,β-unsaturated ketones (4), which are otherwise difficult to obtain, in moderate yields. The reaction involves a ring-opening process of the furan ring by intramolecular attack of the tropylium ion onto the 2-position of the furan ring. Similarly, β-(azuleno[2,1-b]benzothienyl)-α,β-unsaturated ketones (8) were obtained from the corresponding 3-tropylio-2-(5-substituted 2-furyl)benzothiophenes (7) albeit in lower yields. The molecular and crystal structures of the methyl ketone derivative, 8a, are discussed on the basis of X-ray structure analysis.