Iron-Catalyzed Rearrangements and Cycloaddition Reactions of 2<i>H</i>-Chromenes

Abstract

Iron(III) salts catalyze the tandem rearrangement/hetero-Diels-Alder reaction of 2H-chromenes to yield tetrahydrochromeno heterocycles. The process can occur as a homodimerization and cycloaddition process using electron-rich dienophiles. Deuterium labeling and mechanistic studies revealed a hydride shift and ortho-quinone methide cycloaddition reaction pathway.