A mild efficient iodine-catalyzed synthesis of novel anticoagulants with 2,8-dioxabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane core

An efficient coupling of 2-hydroxychalcones/α,β-enones with 4-hydroxycoumarin/5,5-dimethylcyclohexyl-1,3-dione (dimedone) has been accomplished to provide access to a novel class of potential anticoagulants with 2,8-dioxabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane core. The reaction proceeds by Michael-bicycloketalization sequence under iodine catalysis (10 mol %) in aqueous ethanol under reflux. Good to excellent yields, impressive selectivity, absence of byproduct formation, avoidance of toxic organic solvents, and utilization of metal-free water-compatible mild Lewis acid catalyst are the key attractive features of this protocol.