Intramolecular hetero-Diels–Alder reaction of 1-oxa-1,3-butadienes with terminal acetylenes in aqueous media using CuI

A new method for the preparation of tetracyclic uracils (oxa-helicene) 4 was developed. The intramolecular hetero-Diels–Alder reaction of 1-oxa-1,3-butadiene 3 and an unactivated alkyne in the presence of CuI led to tetracyclic uracils 4 in aqueous media with good yields. The 1-oxa-1,3-butadiene 3 was prepared through Knoevenagel reaction of O-propargylated salicylaldehyde derivatives and barbituric acid or 1,3-dimethylbarbituric acid.