A simple preparative synthesis of epoxy[1,3]oxazino(or oxazolo)[2,3- a ]-isoindoles and their thia analogues via IMDAF

Azomethines, easily prepared from 5-(R)-furfurals and 1,3- or 1,2-amino alcohols (aminothiols), react under mild conditions with maleic anhydride affording 8,10a-epoxy[1,3]oxa(thia)-zino[2,3-a]isoindole-7- and 7,9a-epoxy[1,3]oxa(thia)zolo[2,3-a]isoindole-6-carboxylic acids. The reaction proceeds through initial N-acylation with subsequent intramolecular exo-Diels-Alder cycloaddition and stereoselectively leads to the exo adducts. The one-pot synthetic protocol is also presented. © 2010 Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York.