Substituted chromones in [3+2] cycloadditions with nonstabilized azomethine ylides: synthesis of 1-benzopyrano[2,3-c]pyrrolidines and 1-benzopyrano[2,3-c:3,4-c′]dipyrrolidines

Chromones bearing electron-withdrawing substituents at the 2- or 3-position react with nonstabilized azomethine ylides to produce 1-benzopyrano[2,3-c]pyrrolidines in good yields. Reactions of 3-cyanochromones proceed diastereoselectively to give 1-benzopyrano[2,3-c]pyrrolidines and tetrahydro-1H-spiro[chromeno[2,3-c]pyrrol-9,5′-oxazolidine]-9a-carbonitriles, depending on the reactant ratio, as a result of a 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of the azomethine ylide at the double bond and carbonyl group of the chromone system. The latter undergoes demethylenation and recyclization into a novel hexahydrochromeno[2,3-c:3,4-c′]dipyrrole tetracyclic system on heating with hydrochloric acid.