A General Protocol for the Aqueous Morita-Baylis-Hillman Reaction between Cyclic Enones and 1,2-Dicarbonyl Compounds

Abstract

A general methodology for the Morita-Baylis-Hillman reaction of cycloenones and a variety of di- and tricarbonyl compounds. The methodology involves the use of a bifunctional Lewis base as catalyst in aqueous medium at room temperature. The synthetic applicability of the polyfunctionalized MBH adducts is demonstrated by the preparation of an acenaphtho[1,2-b]indole derivative.