Nucleophilic Nitration of Arynes by Sodium Nitrite and its Multicomponent Reaction Leading to Double-Functionalized Arenes

Abstract

An unusual nucleophilic nitration of arynes by NaNO2 in the presence of water has been developed, and the concept was further demonstrated to accomplish a double functionalization of arynes using a multicomponent reaction protocol to synthesize pharmaceutically important (2-nitrophenyl)methanol derivatives. Such substitution ortho to -NO2 is difficult by other means. The reaction conditions are mild and avoid the use of strong acids, expensive transition metal catalysts, and additives.