Formation of complex cyclic compounds via a dehydrogenative Diels–Alder reaction

Abstract

Reported herein is an unprecedented annulation strategy for macrocyclic compounds. This reaction facilitates the generation of α,3-dehydrotoluene (DHT) intermediates through a pentadehydro-Diels–Alder process, wherein subsequent DHT variants react with 1,6-diphenylhexa-1,3,5-triene to afford macrocyclic compounds with a broad substrate scope. Density functional theory computations support a zwitterionic intermediate process. Another product with a different skeleton is obtained by changing the reaction conditions.

Graphical abstract: Formation of complex cyclic compounds via a dehydrogenative Diels–Alder reaction

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Article information

Article type
Communication
Submitted
10 Jul 2025
Accepted
12 Sep 2025
First published
22 Sep 2025

Org. Biomol. Chem., 2025, Advance Article

Formation of complex cyclic compounds via a dehydrogenative Diels–Alder reaction

Z. Xu, Y. Lei, M. Chang, R. Qiang, Q. Hu and Y. Hu, Org. Biomol. Chem., 2025, Advance Article , DOI: 10.1039/D5OB01117E

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