From 4,5,6,7-tetrahydroindole to functionalized furan-2-one–4,5,6,7-tetrahydroindole–cyclobutene sequence in two steps

Ethyl 3-(4,5,6,7-tetrahydroindol-2-yl)propynoate, readily available from 4,5,6,7-tetrahydroindole and ethyl bromopropynoate, when treated with dichlorodicyanobenzoquinone (DDQ) in methanol affords furan-2-one–4,5,6,7-tetrahydroindole–cyclobutene sequence in a 52% yield. As kinetic and minor products, a furan-2-one isomer along with bicycloheptadienone have been either isolated or identified. The reaction has been shown to proceed via the isolable intermediate the [2+2]-cycloadduct of ethyl 3-(4,5,6,7-tetrahydroindol-2-yl)propynoate with DDQ. Other alcohols react with the [2+2]-cycloadduct in a similar way. The effect of the alcohol structure on the products ratio has been analyzed. All the intermediates and products are formed as single diastereomer, thus indicating a concerted character of the rearrangement.