An Efficient Synthesis of Hydantoins via Sustainable Integration of Coupled Domino Processes

Abstract

A highly efficient synthesis of hydantoins has been developed from simple and commercially available 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds, ureas, and methyl ketones or terminal aryl alkenes. This protocol involves a sustainable integration of two coupled domino processes: iodine-promoted synthesis of unsymmetrical 1,4-enediones (domino I) and the sequential transformation into hydantoins (domino II).