Access to Isolable Cyclic Dienamines and N-Aryl-2-aminobenzophenones from Morita–Baylis–Hillman Ketones

Abstract

Reaction of Morita–Baylis–Hillman ketones derived from a cyclic precursor with anilines resulted in the formation of stable cyclic dienamines. The transformation was completely regioselective in favour of 1-amino-1,3-butadienes, and provided access to a wide range of cyclic dienamines under mild conditions. Furthermore, the products underwent a facile oxidative aromatisation to yield N-aryl-2-aminobenzophenones, which in turn are precursors to the medicinally renowned acridines and acridones.