Tandem regio- and stereospecific cyclization of ethyl isonicotinate with cyanoacetylenic alcohols to provide novel polycondensed heterocyclic systems

Ethyl isonicotinate reacts with tertiary cyanoacetylenic alcohols under exceptionally mild conditions (room temperature, without catalyst or solvent) to afford novel polycondensed heterocyclic systems, 4,15-dioxa-7,12-diazapentacyclo[9.5.2.02,10.03,7.012,16]octadeca-8,17-dienes, in 30–68% yields. This tandem cyclization is regio- and stereospecific. Despite several asymmetric carbons (up to six) being present in the molecules, only one diastereomer is formed and both cyanomethylidene fragments possess exclusively Z-configuration. The tandem sequence includes the formation of 1,3-oxazolidino-1,2-dihydropyridines which undergo Diels–Alder cyclodimerization to give the final products.