Base-promoted addition of DMA with 1,1-diarylethylenes: application to a total synthesis of (−)-sacidumlignan B

Abstract

A base-promoted addition of DMA (N,N-dimethylacetamide) to 1,1-diarylethylenes has been developed, and it provides a new strategy for the synthesis of N,N-dimethyl-4,4-diarylbutanamides from 1,1-diarylethylenes at room temperature. This method allows us to achieve the goal of synthesizing (-)-sacidumlignan B, and provides simple operation and broad substrate scope by avoiding the use of transition metal catalysts.