Synthesis of 2,6-diaryl-1,2-dihydropyridines through a 6π-electrocyclization of N-sulfonylazatrienes

The development of an efficient synthetic method toward substituted 1,2-dihydropyridines from cinnamylideneacetophenones is reported. The key intermediates N-sulfonylazatrienes were synthesized through a TiCl4-mediated direct condensation of primary sulfonamides with the substituted (E,E)-cinnamylideneacetophenones. The 6π-electrocyclization of these intermediates, catalyzed by a Lewis acid, selectively afforded the desired products in good yields.