Facile and innovative catalytic protocol for intramolecular Friedel–Crafts cyclization of Morita–Baylis–Hillman adducts: Synergistic combination of chiral (salen)chromium(III)/BF3·OEt2 catalysis

Abstract

The chiral (salen)Cr(III)/BF3·OEt2 catalytic combination was found to be an effective catalyst for intramolecular Friedel–Crafts cyclization of electron-deficient Morita–Baylis–Hillman adducts. In presence of mild reaction conditions the chiral (salen)Cr(III)/BF3·OEt2 complex affords 2-substituted-1H-indenes from unique substrates of Morita–Baylis–Hillman adducts via an easy operating practical procedure.