Recent advances in synthetic approaches for bioactive cinnamic acid derivatives

• Betty A. Kustiana,
• Galuh Widiyarti and
• Teni Ernawati

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 1031–1086, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.85

Synthesis of pyrrolo[3,2-d]pyrimidine-2,4(3H)-diones by domino C–N coupling/hydroamination reactions

• Ruben Manuel Figueira de Abreu,
• Robin Tiedemann,
• Peter Ehlers and
• Peter Langer

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 1010–1017, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.82

• Abstract A variety of pyrrolo[3,2-d]pyrimidine-2,4(3H)-diones were prepared by a combination of Sonogashira reaction and subsequent cyclization by domino C–N coupling/hydroamination reaction. The optical properties (UV–vis absorption and fluorescence) depend on the substitution pattern of the compounds

• . Keywords: alkynes; catalysis; cyclizations; domino reactions; heterocycles; Introduction Pyrimidines and purines are one of the most important heterocyclic compounds with prevalent biological functions. Both are found in nucleosides and their corresponding polymeric DNA and RNA, and hence are vital for

• obtained for product 3e derived from 3-tolylacetylene. However, the yield for compound 3f dropped to 60% because of the more sterically hindered 2-tolylacetylene. The domino C–N cross-coupling/hydroamination reaction of 3a–h with various anilines was studied next (Scheme 2) [28][29]. The conditions were

Copper-catalyzed domino cyclization of anilines and cyclobutanone oxime: a scalable and versatile route to spirotetrahydroquinoline derivatives

• Qingqing Jiang,
• Xinyi Lei,
• Pan Gao and
• Yu Yuan

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 749–754, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.58

• report the copper-catalyzed synthesis of tetrahydroquinoline derivatives via a domino reaction of aniline with cyclobutanone oxime. This method demonstrates a selective approach for generating bioactive tetrahydroquinoline scaffolds, which have broad applications in pharmaceutical chemistry. The reaction

• the desired product. Keywords: copper catalysis; cyclobutane-fused tetrahydroquinolines; domino cyclization reaction; green synthesis; Introduction Tetrahydroquinolines (THQs) represent a privileged scaffold in medicinal chemistry, exhibiting a broad spectrum of biological activities and serving as

• moderate to good yields. Subsequently, we investigated the scope of cyclobutanones and their analogues in the domino cyclization to access structurally diverse spirotetrahydroquinoline derivatives (Scheme 2). Heterocyclic analogues incorporating oxygen or sulfur atoms within the four-membered ring proved

Formaldehyde surrogates in multicomponent reactions

• Cecilia I. Attorresi,
• Javier A. Ramírez and
• Bernhard Westermann

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 564–595, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.45

• nucleophilic species present in the reaction medium, MMS can act as a methylene source. Under hydrolysis conditions, it can be a source of formaldehyde (Scheme 5a), but with other nucleophiles, after nucleophilic addition, the sulfide group can work as a leaving group, allowing for a sequential domino process

• presence of an excellent leaving group (methyl sulfide) which permits further transformations during the domino sequences. This dual effect of MMS makes DMSO an interesting C1 synthon that works not only as a source of a methylene unit (-CH2-) in terms of formaldehyde surrogate, but also as a promotor of

New tandem Ugi/intramolecular Diels–Alder reaction based on vinylfuran and 1,3-butadienylfuran derivatives

• Yuriy I. Horak,
• Roman Z. Lytvyn,
• Andrii R. Vakhula,
• Yuriy V. Homza,
• Nazariy T. Pokhodylo and
• Mykola D. Obushak

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 444–450, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.31

• beneficial aromatic product. Since we previously studied the reaction of 3-(thien-2-yl)allylamines with maleic anhydride [30], followed by a domino sequence involving successive acylation/[4 + 2] cycloaddition steps, that leads to the formation of the thieno[2,3-f]isoindole core, it was interesting to

Molecular diversity of the reactions of MBH carbonates of isatins and various nucleophiles

• Zi-Ying Xiao,
• Jing Sun and
• Chao-Guo Yan

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 286–295, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.21

• synthetic methodologies and in continuation of our aim to develop domino reactions based on MBH carbonates of isatins for efficient construction of diverse polycyclic spiroindolinones [42][43][44][45][46][47][48][49][50][51][52], herein, we wish to report the nucleophilic substitution reactions of various N

Recent advances in organocatalytic atroposelective reactions

• Henrich Szabados and
• Radovan Šebesta

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 55–121, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.6

• ]. Hayashi realized an organocatalytic domino sequence that afforded axially chiral biaryls [24]. The transformation relied on an organocatalytic Michael/Henry cascade. The enamine-type Michael addition was catalyzed by the Hayashi–Jørgensen organocatalyst C7 (Scheme 6). Then, a series of one-pot reactions

Non-covalent organocatalyzed enantioselective cyclization reactions of α,β-unsaturated imines

• Sergio Torres-Oya and
• Mercedes Zurro

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2024, 20, 3221–3255, doi:10.3762/bjoc.20.268

• bifunctional squaramide-catalyzed asymmetric domino Mannich/formal [4 + 2] cyclization of 2-benzothiazolimines 21 with azlactones 15 [30]. Using cinchona-derived squaramide VII it was possible to obtain 25 different chiral benzothiazolopyrimidines 22 bearing adjacent tertiary and quaternary stereocenters in up

• bifunctional squaramide-catalyzed domino Mannich/formal [4 + 2] cyclization of 2-benzothiazolimines with azlactones. Chiral bifunctional thiourea-catalyzed formal IEDADA reaction of β,γ-unsaturated ketones and benzofuran-derived azadienes. Dihydroquinine-derived squaramide-catalyzed (3 + 2) cycloaddition

Synthesis of pyrrole-fused dibenzoxazepine/dibenzothiazepine/triazolobenzodiazepine derivatives via isocyanide-based multicomponent reactions

• Marzieh Norouzi,
• Mohammad Taghi Nazeri,
• Ahmad Shaabani and
• Behrouz Notash

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2024, 20, 2870–2882, doi:10.3762/bjoc.20.241

• analysis, mass spectrum, and IR are consistent with the structure (for details see Supporting Information File 1). Finally, a single crystal X-ray analysis of compound 6a was performed, confirming the structure (Figure 4). The proposed mechanism for an isocyanide-based multicomponent domino reaction for

Synthesis and antimycotic activity of new derivatives of imidazo[1,2-a]pyrimidines

• Dmitriy Yu. Vandyshev,
• Daria A. Mangusheva,
• Khidmet S. Shikhaliev,
• Kirill A. Scherbakov,
• Oleg N. Burov,
• Alexander D. Zagrebaev,
• Tatiana N. Khmelevskaya,
• Alexey S. Trenin and
• Fedor I. Zubkov

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2024, 20, 2806–2817, doi:10.3762/bjoc.20.236

• , it is worth mentioning the work of Li and co-workers (2011) [20], who described a single example of the formation of such structures by carrying out an organocatalytic domino aza-Michael–Mannich reaction between benzylidene-1H-imidazol-2-amine and cinnamaldehyde. Although the imidazo[1,2-a

Synthesis of spiroindolenines through a one-pot multistep process mediated by visible light

• Francesco Gambuti,
• Jacopo Pizzorno,
• Chiara Lambruschini,
• Renata Riva and
• Lisa Moni

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2024, 20, 2722–2731, doi:10.3762/bjoc.20.230

• efficient methods for the synthesis of heterocycles by multicomponent processes and domino reactions [16][17][18][19][20], here we disclosed the oxidative one-pot four-step synthesis of 2-amino-3,3’-spiroindolenines using readily available tertiary amines, electron-rich anilines and isocyanides as starting

Multicomponent syntheses of pyrazoles via (3 + 2)-cyclocondensation and (3 + 2)-cycloaddition key steps

• Ignaz Betcke,
• Alissa C. Götzinger,
• Maryna M. Kornet and
• Thomas J. J. Müller

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2024, 20, 2024–2077, doi:10.3762/bjoc.20.178

• approach this ideal, representing a reactivity-based concept where reactive functionalities are generated and consumed in each step [24]. MCR can be conducted in a domino, sequential, or consecutive fashion, offering a versatile approach to synthetic design by creating countless new sequences by

• ) [64]. The reaction proceeds in moderate to good yields and can be conducted either consecutively or as a domino reaction. However, one limitation of the method is that the pyrazole formation is not regiospecific and leads to two isomers. Functionalized hydrazines are versatile building blocks in

• position 1. This protocol involves the utilization of enaminones, hydrazine, and various aryl halides as substrates, resulting in the formation of 1,3-substituted pyrazoles 76 (Scheme 27) [105]. Mechanistic studies have indicated that in this domino reaction, the initial formation of 3-substituted

Diastereoselective synthesis of highly substituted cyclohexanones and tetrahydrochromene-4-ones via conjugate addition of curcumins to arylidenemalonates

• Deepa Nair,
• Abhishek Tiwari,
• Banamali Laha and
• Irishi N. N. Namboothiri

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2024, 20, 2016–2023, doi:10.3762/bjoc.20.177

• starting materials for cascade/domino reactions. Curcumin is the key component present in turmeric and is responsible for its various biological activities. Turmeric has been used in many forms for potential health benefits and as a traditional spice for centuries [11]. Curcumin exhibits diverse biological

The Groebke–Blackburn–Bienaymé reaction in its maturity: innovation and improvements since its 21st birthday (2019–2023)

• Cristina Martini,
• Muhammad Idham Darussalam Mardjan and
• Andrea Basso

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2024, 20, 1839–1879, doi:10.3762/bjoc.20.162

• /domino reaction, one-pot stepwise synthesis and multicomponent reaction. In the one-pot cascade reaction, the complexity of heterocycles was achieved due to the presence of functional groups formed in the GBB reaction which allow further reactions to occur. In the case of one-pot stepwise synthesis, the

A facile three-component route to powerful 5-aryldeazaalloxazine photocatalysts

• Ivana Weisheitelová,
• Radek Cibulka,
• Marek Sikorski and
• Tetiana Pavlovska

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2024, 20, 1831–1838, doi:10.3762/bjoc.20.161

• continuation of our work on the synthesis of powerful photoredox flavins [14][15][16][17][18][19], we developed an efficient, general, one-pot domino method for the synthesis of a series of novel 5-aryldeazaalloxazines 2 from readily available substrates via a three-component fashion (Figure 1C). Results and

Challenge N- versus O-six-membered annulation: FeCl₃-catalyzed synthesis of heterocyclic N,O-aminals

• Giacomo Mari,
• Lucia De Crescentini,
• Gianfranco Favi,
• Fabio Mantellini,
• Diego Olivieri and
• Stefania Santeusanio

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2024, 20, 1412–1420, doi:10.3762/bjoc.20.123

• corroborate our mechanistic hypothesis related to the formation of both N,O-aminals and corresponding hemiaminals. In particular, the domino reaction that leads to the carbinolamines represents an interesting example of “auto-tandem catalysis” in which the FeCl3 catalyzes two different chemical

Domino reactions of chromones with activated carbonyl compounds

• Peter Langer

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2024, 20, 1256–1269, doi:10.3762/bjoc.20.108

• Peter Langer Institut für Chemie, Universität Rostock, Albert-Einstein-Str. 3a, 18059 Rostock, Germany Leibniz-Institut für Katalyse e. V. an der Universität Rostock, Albert-Einstein-Str. 29a, 18059 Rostock, Germany 10.3762/bjoc.20.108 Abstract Domino reactions of chromones with activated

• of the substituent located at carbon C3 of the chromone moiety and also on the type of nucleophile employed. Keywords: cyclizations; 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds; domino reactions; heterocycles; regioselectivity; silyl enol ethers; Introduction Domino reactions (also called cascade or tandem reactions

• ) allow for the synthesis of complex products with formation of several bonds in only one step [1][2][3][4][5]. In contrast to non-activated acetone (1a), methylene-active compounds, such as 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds, are of considerable relevance as building blocks in domino reactions (Scheme 1). For

Carbonylative synthesis and functionalization of indoles

• Alex De Salvo,
• Raffaella Mancuso and
• Xiao-Feng Wu

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2024, 20, 973–1000, doi:10.3762/bjoc.20.87

• complexes are important for the synthesis of heterocyclic and non-heterocyclic compounds. In 2009, Arthuis and co-workers developed a new process for the synthesis of 2-aroylindoles and 2-heteroaroylindoles by a one-pot palladium-catalyzed domino reaction that involves an initial C,N-coupling followed by

• making the process more environmentally friendly especially if we think about them in the industrial field. Clearly, the research in this field is ongoing and it will continue, and more active catalysts and new “green” synthetic approaches will be developed. Pd(0)-catalyzed domino C,N-coupling

Catalytic multi-step domino and one-pot reactions

• Svetlana B. Tsogoeva

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2024, 20, 254–256, doi:10.3762/bjoc.20.25

• Svetlana B. Tsogoeva Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Organic Chemistry Chair I and Interdisciplinary Center for Molecular Materials (ICMM), Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Nikolaus Fiebiger-Straße 10, 91058 Erlangen, Germany 10.3762/bjoc.20.25 Keywords: domino reactions

• atom efficiency, step and pot economies, decreased number of purification steps, or protecting-group-free synthesis. Multi-step domino [1][2] and one-pot [3] reactions represent a new powerful toolbox in organic synthesis to install molecular complexity economically and sustainably, starting from

• simple compounds. In particular, catalytic domino reactions and one-pot processes with excellent selectivity and functional-group tolerance are of significant interest to industrial and academic research. In the so-called domino reactions, all of the required reagents, the catalyst, and a solvent are

Synthetic approach to 2-alkyl-4-quinolones and 2-alkyl-4-quinolone-3-carboxamides based on common β-keto amide precursors

• Yordanka Mollova-Sapundzhieva,
• Plamen Angelov,
• Danail Georgiev and
• Pavel Yanev

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2023, 19, 1804–1810, doi:10.3762/bjoc.19.132

• -mediated domino reaction of chromone-3-carboxaldehydes and amines [41], Pd-catalyzed redox-neutral C–N coupling reaction of iminoquinones with electron-deficient alkenes [42], NH3 insertion into o‑haloarylynones [43], gold(III)-catalyzed azide-yne cyclization [44], Michael/Truce-Smiles rearrangement

Unraveling the role of prenyl side-chain interactions in stabilizing the secondary carbocation in the biosynthesis of variexenol B

• Moe Nakano,
• Rintaro Gemma and
• Hajime Sato

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2023, 19, 1503–1510, doi:10.3762/bjoc.19.107

• offer many valuable insights from a fundamental organic chemistry perspective. The terpene cyclization cascade generally involves a multistep domino-type reaction. Therefore, it is challenging to reveal the detailed reaction mechanism solely by an experimental method. To address this issue

Acetaldehyde in the Enders triple cascade reaction via acetaldehyde dimethyl acetal

• Alessandro Brusa,
• Debora Iapadre,
• Maria Edith Casacchia,
• Alessio Carioscia,
• Giuliana Giorgianni,
• Giandomenico Magagnano,
• Fabio Pesciaioli and
• Armando Carlone

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2023, 19, 1243–1250, doi:10.3762/bjoc.19.92

• . Although the scope is limited to aromatic nitroalkenes and enals, the yields are good considering the complexity of the domino process that involves highly reactive partners, and the ees are consistently very high. Finally, albeit there is low diastereocontrol, the diastereomers can be easily separated by

Selective construction of dispiro[indoline-3,2'-quinoline-3',3''-indoline] and dispiro[indoline-3,2'-pyrrole-3',3''-indoline] via three-component reaction

• Ziying Xiao,
• Fengshun Xu,
• Jing Sun and
• Chao-Guo Yan

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2023, 19, 1234–1242, doi:10.3762/bjoc.19.91

• as Michael acceptors, 1,3-dipolarophiles, 1,4-dienophiles and other multiple substrates. They have been widely employed as key component to finish many multicomponent and domino reactions [26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35]. Recently, the Michael adduct of 3-methyleneoxindoles with various

• nucleophiles, especially active methylene compounds, have attracted much attentions [36][37][38][39][40][41]. This kind of Michael adduct has more than one reactive site and could proceed domino reactions with various electrophiles [42][43][44][45][46][47][48][49]. In this respect, several elegant domino or

• nitrostyrenes with previously prepared oxindole-functionalized dihydrobenzofuranones (reaction 2 in Scheme 1) [52]. We reported a piperidine-promoted domino reaction of thiophenols and two molecules of 3-phenacylideneoxindoles to give multifunctionalized dispirocyclopentanebisoxindoles (reaction 3 in Scheme 1

New one-pot synthesis of 4-arylpyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridin-6-ones based on 5-aminopyrazoles and azlactones

• Vladislav Yu. Shuvalov,
• Ekaterina Yu. Vlasova,
• Tatyana Yu. Zheleznova and
• Alexander S. Fisyuk

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2023, 19, 1155–1160, doi:10.3762/bjoc.19.83

• domino reaction of enamines with azlactones [22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30]. We have previously reported a plausible mechanism of such reactions [22][25]. 1H-Pyrazol-5-amines also enter into similar transformations with azlactones in various solvents. The yields of tetrahydro-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-b

Synthesis of tetrahydrofuro[3,2-c]pyridines via Pictet–Spengler reaction

• Elena Y. Mendogralo and
• Maxim G. Uchuskin

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2023, 19, 991–997, doi:10.3762/bjoc.19.74

• the use of 3-substituted furans. For example, the intramolecular Friedel–Crafts alkylation reaction (Scheme 1a) of alcohols [9][10][11], alkenes [12] or acetylenes [13] affords the desired tetrahydrofuro[3,2-c]pyridines. A related method is based on a Au(I)-catalyzed domino sequence dearomatization