Stereoselective synthesis of melatonin receptor agonist ramelteon via asymmetric michael addition

Article abstract of DOI:10.3987/COM-11-12366

Highly enantioselective asymmetric Michael addition was used to synthesize ramelteon and its analogue. The asymmetric strategy provides an efficient approach for the medicinal modification of ramelteon with high ee value.

Full text of DOI:10.3987/COM-11-12366

HETEROCYCLES, Vol. 85, No. 1, 2012
73
HETEROCYCLES, Vol. 85, No. 1, 2012, pp. 73 - 84. © 2012 The Japan Institute of Heterocyclic Chemistry
Received, 23rd September, 2011, Accepted, 27th October, 2011, Published online, 22nd November, 2011
DOI: 10.3987/COM-11-12366
STEREOSELECTIVE
SYNTHESIS
OF MELATONIN RECEPTOR
AGONIST RAMELTEON VIA ASYMMETRIC MICHAEL ADDITION
Xuan Zhang,a Wei Yuan,b Yu Luo,b Qing-Qing Huang,a and Wei Lua*
a
Institute of Drug Discovery and Development, iAIR, East China Normal
University, Shanghai 200062, China. E-mail: wlu@chem.ecnu.edu.cn
b
Department of Chemistry, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062,
China
Abstract – Highly enantioselective asymmetric Michael addition was used to
synthesize ramelteon and its analogue. The asymmetric strategy provides an
efficient approach for the medicinal modification of ramelteon with high ee value.
INTRODUCTION
Ramelteon (1, Rozerem), developed by Takeda Pharmaceuticals North America, is the first selective
agonist for the melatonin MT1/MT2 receptors in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) for the treatment of
circadian rhythm sleep disorders.1 In contrast to other FDA-approved drugs for this disease, it has shown
no risk of drug dependence and abuse because it has negligible affinity for the MT3 receptors.2
Ramelteon has a unique chemical scaffold containing a furan-fused tricyclic ring and an asymmetric
center. To date, many ramelteon derivatives have been investigated, such as tricyclic indan derivatives3
and 7-substituted 1,6-dihydro-2H-indeno[5,4-b]furan derivativs.4 However, the structure activity
relationship (SAR) of 6- and 7-positions is still unclear comparing with those of the dihydrofuran ring.
Currently, all reported total synthesis of ramelteon mainly involved catalytic asymmetric hydrogenation5
or chiral resolution6 of the corresponding racemic mixtures, which have unavoidable defects such as
expensive metal and phosphorus ligands, complicated procedures, low ee value and low yield. Moreover,
it is very difficult to synthesize 6- or/and 7-substituted derivatives with multi-chiral centers through
present known methods. Therefore, it is necessary to find an efficient approach for the medicinal
modification of ramelteon with high ee value. Recently, we have reported an efficient synthesis for a
tricyclic intermediate 1,2,6,7-tetrahydro-8H-indeno[5,4-b]furan-8-one,7 which has been successfully
applied to the industrial production. From a medicinal chemistry point of view, a new synthetic approach

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HETEROCYCLES, Vol. 85, No. 1, 2012
of ramelteon was presented herein based on our previous exploration.
O
N
O
(S)
H
7
6
ramelteon (1)
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Compound 2 (Figure 1) was an important ramelteon derivative with good biological profiles and always
served as a standard compound for evaluating other ramelteon derivatives.3 As an advanced intermediate
of ramelteon, it was thus chosen to verify the feasibility of the synthetic design first.
O
Bn
Bn
O
O
O
O
NH2
5
failed
O
N
+
O
H
O
(R)
OH
O
B
O
O
3
4
2
OH
6
O
O
MeO2C
CO2Me
CO2H
(S)
(R)
CO2H
Michael addition
Ph
10
O
O
+
Ph
N
MeO2C
CO2Me
8
7
H
OTMS
9
11
Figure 1. Retrosynthesis of compound 2
According to Hayashi’s work,8 the rhodium-catalyzed asymmetric 1,4-addition of α,β-unsaturated ester
(5) and organometallic reagent (6) to form carbon-carbon bond was initially tried (Figure 2).
Unfortunately, this approach was abolished because addition product 4 turned out to be almost completely
racemic in a 70% yield.
In recent decades, asymmetric Michael addition has been developed as an efficient methodology for the
construction of chiral carbon-carbon bond. Since recyclable chiral auxiliaries were employed, this
approach was believed to be more economical and eco-friendly than other traditional methods, which
intrigued us to utilize this method9,10 in our new synthetic design. Jørgensen reported that organocatalytic

HETEROCYCLES, Vol. 85, No. 1, 2012
75
enantioselective conjugate addition of malonate to an aromatic α,β-unsaturated aldehyde afforded
addition product in good yield and very good to excellent enantioselectivity.9 Therefore, α,β-unsaturated
aldehyde 1011 was subjected to asymmetric Michael addition (Figure 2). To obtain optimal yield and ee
value, different reaction conditions were carefully investigated as displayed in table 1. Compared with
dimethyl malonate (11), diethyl malonate decreased the reaction efficiency probably because of its steric
effects (entries 1 and 2). Maintaining molar the ratio of 10 to dimethyl malonate as 2 : 1 has a positive
impact on the reaction yield (entries 1, 3 and 4). Temperature and percent of catalyst were also essential
in this step (entries 1, 5, 6 and 7). Finally, the optimal condition was found in entry 7, which afforded
addition product 12 in a good yield (94%) and high enantioselectivity (96% ee).
Table 1. Optimization of Michael addition
Ph
Ph
O
O
N
H
R
R
O
H
OTMS
O
O
O
O
9
O
O
O
R
R
O
O
EtOH
10
n equiv.
Entry
R
n (equiv)
Temp.
catalyst (mol%) yield (%)[a] ee (%)[b]
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Me
Et
2
2
0.9
0.5
2
0-5 ºC, 12h
0-5 ºC, 12h
0-5 ºC, 12h
0-5 ºC, 12h
rt, 12h
10
10
10
10
10
10
20
88
< 30
44
< 30
74
96
-
-
-
81
-
Me
Me
Me
Me
Me
2
2
< -5 ºC, 12h
0-5 ºC, 48h
< 30
94
96
[a] Isolated yield;
[b] The enantiomeric excess was determined by HPLC after conversion to the corresponding lactone.9
Subsequently, compound 12 was oxidized with NaClO2 to afford chiral acid 8, which was subjected to
Friedel-Crafts acylation to give 3-subsituted indanone 13 (scheme 1). Hydrogenation of compound 13
gave pure compound 14, which was decarboxylated in mesitylene at 160 ºC to afford compound 7. After
reduction with LiAlH4, indanol 15 was obtained in a 92% yield. Gabriel reaction of compound 15
followed by acylation in the presence of propionic anhydride furnished final compound 2 in a satisfactory
yield of 64% and an excellent ee value of above 99%.

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HETEROCYCLES, Vol. 85, No. 1, 2012
MeO2C
MeO2C
CO2Me
O
CO2Me
d
MeO2C
CO2Me
O
a
c
b
O
O
10
8
94%
96% ee
51%
99%
88%
O
O
12
14
13
OH
e
f
g
N
h
i
O
7
3
2
O
70%
92%
76%
91%
92%
O
15
16
Scheme 1. Reagents and condition: a) 11, catalyst 9, EtOH; b) NaClO2, NaH2PO4, 2-methyl-2-butene,
t-BuOH, H2O; c) SOCl2, toluene, SnCl4, DCM; d) Pd/C, H2, EtOH; e) NaOH (aq), EtOH, mesitylene; f)
LiAlH4, THF; g) MsCl, Et3N, CH2Cl2, phthalimide potassium salt, DMF; h) hydrazine hydrate, EtOH; i)
propionic anhydride, NaOH (aq), THF.
With the expeditious methodology in hand, our endeavor continued toward the total synthesis of
ramelteon (1). As shown in scheme 2, compound 17 was chosen as starting material, and was converted
to α,β-unsaturated aldehyde 18 according to Cacchi’s method.12 Based on the aforementioned result,
chiral aldehyde 19 was obtained with a good yield (80%) and high enantioselectivity (92% ee) in the
presence of catalyst 9. Subsequent oxidation of compound 19 with NaClO2 gave chiral acid 20 in an 89%
yield. Treatment compound 20 with thionyl chloride followed by a Lewis acid-promoted cyclization
afforded indanone 21. Hydrogenation of compound 21 gave compound 22, which was subjected to
hydrolysis and decarboxylation to afford known compound 23.13 Chiral amine 25 was obtained after
amidation and reduction. Finally, ramelteon (1) was prepared with 92% enantiomeric ratios from
compound 25 in the presence of propionic anhydride.
MeO2C
CO2Me
CHO
MeO2C
CO2Me
CO2H
O
O
a
b
c
CHO
O
O
Br
17
18
19
20
MeO2C
MeO2C
CO2Me
CO2H
CO2Me
O
d
e
f
g
O
O
O
21
23
22
O
O
NH2
HN
h
i
NH2
O
O
O
24
25
1
Scheme 2. Reagents and condition: a) 1,1-diethoxy-2-propene, Pd(OAc)2, n-Bu4NOAc, KCl, K2CO3,
DMF; b) 11, catalyst 9, EtOH; c) NaClO2, NaH2PO4, 2-methyl-2-butene, t-BuOH, H2O; d) SOCl2,
toluene; AlCl3, CH2Cl2; e) Pd/C, H2, MeOH; f) NaOH, H2O, MeOH; mesitylene; g) SOCl2, toluene, NH3,
CH2Cl2; h) LiAlH4, THF. i) propionic anhydride, Et3N, CH2Cl2.

HETEROCYCLES, Vol. 85, No. 1, 2012
77
CONCLUSIONS
In summary, we have developed a new approach to synthesize ramelteon (1) and its analogue with high
efficiency and enantioselectivity via asymmetric Michael addition. Furthermore, the achieved
methodology will be valuable for medicinal modification of ramelteons with high ee value in the future
drug discovery.
EXPERIMENTAL
General methods.
Melting points were taken on a Fisher-Johns melting point apparatus, uncorrected and reported in degrees
1
13
Centigrade. H NMR spectra and C NMR were recorded in CDCl3 and C2D6SO on Bruker DRX-500
(500 MHz) using TMS as internal standard. Chemical shifts were reported as δ (ppm) and spin-spin
coupling constants as J (Hz) values. The mass spectra (MS) were recorded on a Finnigan MAT-95 mass
spectrometer.
(S)-Dimethyl 2-(1-(3-methoxyphenyl)-3-oxopropyl)malonate (12).
Compound 10 (3.7 g, 23 mmol) and amino catalyst 9 (760 mg, 2.3 mmol) were stirred in EtOH (50 mL)
at 0 ºC for 30 min, then compound 11 (1.55 g, 11.7 mmol) was added dropwise. The mixture was stirred
at 0 ºC for 48 h. The reaction mixture was extracted with EtOAc, washed with 1N HCl and brine.
Concentration in vacuo gave crude product, which was purified by column chromatography (EtOAc :
petroleum ether = 1:5) to give pure 12 as a pale yellow liquid (3.2 g, 94%). [α]2D0 +32.0 (c 1.0, acetone);
1H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl3) δ 2.89-2.94 (m, 2H), 3.54 (s, 3H), 3.74-3.76 (m, 4H), 3.79 (s, 3H), 3.97-4.03
(m, 1H), 6.76 - 6.83 (m, 3H), 7,22 (t, J = 7.8 Hz, 1H), 9.60 (s, 1H). 13C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3) δ 199.9,
168.2, 167.7, 159.6, 141.3, 129.7, 120.0, 113.8, 112.6, 57.1, 55.1, 52.6, 52.4, 47.0, 39.4; HRMS (EI): m/z
calcd for C15H18O6 (M)+: 294.1103, found: m/z = 294.1108. The enantiomeric excess of 12 was
determined by HPLC as > 96% after conversion to the corresponding lactone. [column, CHIRALPAK
OD-H (4.6mm × 250mm), room temperature; eluent, 2-propanol/ hexane 20/80; flow rate, 1.0 mL/min; tR
of (S)-12, 27.2 min; tR of (R)-12 (enantiomer of (S)-12), 43.7 min, detection at 214 nm].
(S)-5-Methoxy-4-(methoxycarbonyl)-3-(3-methoxyphenyl)-5-oxopentanoic acid (8).
A solution of compound 12 (2.2 g, 7.6 mmol), sodium chlorite (2.4 g, 26 mmol) and sodium hydrogen
phosphate (2.4 g, 20 mmol) in 2-methyl-2-butene (14 mL), t-BuOH (60 mL) and water (24 mL) was
stirred at room temperature for 1.5 h. The mixture was extracted with EtOAc, washed with brine, dried
over anhydrous Na2SO4, and evaporated to dryness to give a white solid, which was crystallized from
EtOAc-petroleum ether to afford 2.1 g (88%) of 8 as a white solid. [α]2D0 +8.0 (c 1.0, acetone); mp
1
110–112 ºC; H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl3) δ 2.79 (dd, J = 16.4, 9.4 Hz, 1H), 2.89 (dd, J = 16.4, 4.8 Hz,

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HETEROCYCLES, Vol. 85, No. 1, 2012
1H), 3.52 (s, 3H), 3.72 (s, 3H), 3.74-3.77 (m, 4H), 3.85-3.89 (m, 1H), 6.75- 6.77 (m, 2H), 6.80 (d, J = 7.8
Hz, 1H), 7.19 (t, J = 7.8 Hz, 1H). 13C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3) δ 176.0, 168.3, 167.8, 159.6, 141.2, 129.6,
120.1, 113.8, 112.8, 56.9, 55.1, 52.7, 52.5, 41.0, 37.9; HRMS (EI): m/z calcd for C15H18O7 (M)+:
310.1053, found: m/z = 310.1045.
(S)-Dimethyl 2-(6-methoxy-3-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-1-yl)malonate (13).
Thionyl chloride (1.86 g, 15.6 mmol) was dropped into a solution of compound 8 (1.62 g, 5.2 mmol) in
CH2Cl2 (30 mL). The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 6 h. Solvent and thionyl chloride were
removed under reduced pressure. Another CH2Cl2 (45 mL) was added into the flask. It was cooled to -25
ºC, then SnCl4 (2.1 mL, 18.3 mmol) was slowly dropped in. After stirred at this temperature for 12 h, it
was poured into saturated aqueous NH4Cl. The solution was extracted with CH2Cl2, washed with brine,
dried over anhydrous Na2SO4. Concentration in vacuo gave crude product, which was further purified by
column chromatography (EtOAc : petroleum ether = 1:5) to give pure 13 as a colorless oil (0.78 g, 51%).
[α]2D0 -37.3 (c 1.0, acetone); H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl3) δ 2.72 (dd, J = 18.9, 3 Hz, 1H), 2.93 (dd, J =
1
18.9, 8 Hz, 1H), 3.65 (s, 3H), 3.77 (s, 3H), 3.82 (d, J = 6.7 Hz, 1H), 3.87 (s, 3H), 4.05-4.08 (m, 1H), 6.91
13
(s, 1H), 6.94 (d, J = 9.8 Hz, 1H), 7.69 (d, J = 8.5 Hz, 1H). C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3): 202.6, 168.5,
167.9, 165.2, 156.5, 130.6, 125.4, 115.8, 109.5, 55.6, 55.4, 52.7, 52.6, 41.3, 37.4; HRMS (EI): m/z calcd
for C15H16O6 (M)+: 292.0947, found: m/z = 292.0951.
(S)-Dimethyl 2-(6-methoxy-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-1-yl)malonate (14).
A mixture of compound 13 (0.78 g, 2.67 mmol) and 10% Pd/C (78 mg) in EtOH (30 mL) was
hydrogenated at room temperature for 13 h The catalyst was then filtered off and the filtrate was
evaporated to dryness to give 14 as a colorless oil (0.75 g, 99%). [α]2D0 -18.6 (c 1.0, acetone); H NMR
1
(500 MHz, CDCl3) δ 1.95-1.99 (m, 1H), 2.30-2.34 (m, 1H), 2.78-2.90 (m, 2H), 3.59 (d, J = 9.2 Hz, 1H),
3.72 (s, 3H), 3.74 (s, 3H), 3.76 (s, 3H), 3.85-3.87 (m, 1H), 6.6 -6.74 (m, 3H), 7.10 (d, J = 8.2 Hz, 1H). 13C
NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3) δ 169.0, 168.7, 158.6, 144.5, 136.1, 125.1, 113.2, 109.9, 55.8, 55.4, 52.5, 52.4,
44.6, 30.5, 29.9; HRMS (EI): m/z calcd for C15H18O5 (M)+: 278.1154, found: m/z = 278.1151.
(S)-2-(6-Methoxy-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-1-yl)acetic acid (7).
Compound 14 (0.52 g, 1.9 mmol) was dissolved in EtOH (10 mL), then NaOH (0.37 g, 9.3 mmol) in
water (10 mL) was added into the flask. The solution was refluxed for 3 h. After cooling to room
temperature, it was treated with 1N HCl (15 mL) and extracted with EtOAc. The organic phase was
washed with brine, dried over anhydrous Na2SO4, and evaporated to dryness to give a yellow solid (0.49
g). This solid was dissolved in mesitylene (15 mL) and heated to 160 ºC for 1 h under nitrogen
atmosphere. It was cooled to room temperature and treated with 5 mL 1N NaOH solution. The aqueous
phase was acidfied with 1N HCl and extracted with EtOAc, washed with brine, dried over anhydrous

HETEROCYCLES, Vol. 85, No. 1, 2012
79
Na2SO4. Concentration in vacuo gave crude product, which was recrystallized in a mixture of EtOAc and
petroleum ether to afford pure 7 as white crystal (0.27 g, 70%). [α]2D0 -15.5 (c 1.0, acetone); mp 80–82 ºC,
1H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl3) δ 1.78-1.82 (m, 1H), 2.43-2.52 (m, 2H), 2.80-2.89 (m, 3H), 3.56-3.58 (m,
13
1H), 3.79 (s, 3H), 6.73-6.77 (m, 2H), 7.13 (d, J = 8.2 Hz, 1H). C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3) δ 177.9,
158.8, 146.9, 135.8, 125.1, 112.6, 109.2, 55.5, 41.3, 39.4, 32.9, 30.3; HRMS (EI): m/z calcd for C12H14O3
(M)+: 206.0943, found: m/z = 206.0948.
(S)-2-(6-Methoxy-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-1-yl)EtOH (15).
LiAlH4 (0.11 g, 2.8 mmol) was added into a solution of compound 7 (0.29 g, 1.4 mmol) in THF (10 mL)
at 0 ºC. The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 5 h, then EtOAc (1 mL) was added to quench the
reaction. After stirring for 10 min, the mixture was extracted with EtOAc, washed with brine, dried over
anhydrous Na2SO4. Concentration in vacuo afforded pure 15 (0.25 g, 92%) as a colorless oil. [α]2D0 -15.0
1
(c 1.0, CHCl3); H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl3) δ 1.38 (s, 1H), 1.68-1.74 (m, 2H), 2.11-2.18 (m, 1H),
2.31-2.35 (m, 1H), 2.74-2.89 (m, 2H), 3.20-3.24 (m, 1H), 3.78-3.83 (m, 5H), 6.70-6.77 (m, 2H), 7.11 (d,
J = 8.2 Hz, 1H). 13C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3) δ 158.7, 148.6, 135.8, 124.9, 112.1, 109.3, 61.5, 55.4, 41.7,
37.8, 32.7, 30.6; HRMS (EI): m/z calcd for C12H16O2 (M)+: 192.1150, found: m/z = 192.1153.
(S)-2-(2-(6-Methoxy-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-1-yl)ethyl)isoindoline-1,3-dione (16).
Mesyl chloride (0.11 mL, 1.35 mmol) and Et3N (0.19 mL, 1.35 mmol) was added to a solution of
compound 15 (0.20 g, 1.04 mmol) in anhydrous CH2Cl2 (30 mL) at room temperature. After stirring for 1
h, saturated sodium bicarbonate solution (10 mL) was added in. The solution was extracted with CH2Cl2,
washed with brine, dried over anhydrous Na2SO4, and evaporated to dryness to give a yellow liquid,
which was dissolved in DMF (8.0 mL). Then phthalimide potassium salt (0.21 mg, 1.15 mmol) was
added to the solution, and the mixture was heated for 1 h at 100 ºC. Then the mixture was poured into
water, extracted with CH2Cl2, washed with brine, dried over anhydrous Na2SO4. Concentration in vacuo
afforded 16 as a yellow liquid (0.31 g, 92%), which was used without further purification. 1H NMR (500
MHz, CDCl3) δ 1.67-1.85 (m, 2H), 2.23-2.25 (m, 1H), 2.40-2.42 (m, 1H), 2.77-2.88 (m, 2H), 3.11-3.12
(m, 1H), 3.77 (s, 3H), 3.81-3.84 (m, 2H), 6.68 (dd, J = 8.2, 1.8 Hz, 1H), 6.79 (s, 1H), 7.08 (d, J = 8.2 Hz,
13
1H), 7.70-7.85 (m, 2H). C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3) δ 168.4, 158.7, 147.8, 135.8, 133.9, 132.2, 124.9,
123.2, 112.6, 108.9, 55.4, 42.6, 36.5, 33.4, 32.4, 30.6.
(S)-2-(6-Methoxy-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-1-yl)ethanamine hydrochloride (3).
Hydrazine hydrate (0.5 mL) was added to a solution of compound 16 (0.30 g, 0.93 mmol) in EtOH (10
mL), the mixture was refluxed for 3 h. Then it was cooled to room temperature and filtrated, the filtrate
was poured into water (40 mL), extracted with CH2Cl2, washed with brine, dried over anhydrous Na2SO4
and concentrated. The residue was diluted with 1.5 mL EtOH, and 4M HCl/EtOH (1.5 mL) was added in.

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HETEROCYCLES, Vol. 85, No. 1, 2012
To this solution was added Et2O, and the solid that precipitated was collected by filtration. The crude
solid was recrystallized from EtOH-Et2O to afford 0.16 g (76% yield) of 3. [α]2D0 -27.0 (c 0.20, H2O); mp
174–175 ºC, 1H NMR (500 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ 1.58-1.71 (m, 2H), 2,05-2.12 (m, 1H), 2.20-2.27 (m, 1H),
2.66-2.86 (m, 4H), 3.10-3.15 (m, 1H), 3.71 (s, 3H), 6.71 (d, J = 8.2 Hz, 1H), 6.76 (s, 1H), 7.10 (d, J = 8.2
13
Hz, 1H), 8.18 (s, 3H). C NMR (100 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ 158.3, 147.4, 135.0, 124.9, 112.2, 109.1, 55.1,
41.6, 37.1, 31.9, 31.7, 29.9.
(S)-N-(2-(6-Methoxy-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-1-yl)ethyl)propionamide (2).
Propionic anhydride (0.12 g, 0.9 mmol) and 1M NaOH solution (10 mL) was added into a solution of
compound 15 (0.16 g, 0.7 mmol) in THF (30 mL) at room temperature. After stirred at this temperature
for 1h, it was poured into water (20 mL) and extracted with EtOAc, washed with brine, dried over
anhydrous Na2SO4. Concentration in vacuoafforded crude product, which was recrystallized from
EtOAc-petroleum ether to afford 0.16 g (91%) of 2 as a white solid. [α]2D0 -10.0 (c 0.20, EtOH); mp
76–77 ºC, 1H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl3) δ 1.15 (t, J = 7.6 Hz, 3H), 1.61-1.65 (m, 1H), 1.70-1.74 (m, 1H),
2.04-2.07 (m, 1H), 2.20 (q, J = 7.7 Hz, 2H), 2.31-2.34 (m, 1H), 2.74-2.88 (m, 2H), 3.10-3.13 (m, 1H),
3.38-3.41 (m, 2H), 3.79 (s, 3H), 5.43 (s, 1H), 6.71 (d, J = 8.1 Hz, 1H), 6.75 (s, 1H), 7.11 (d, J = 8.1 Hz,
13
1H). C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3) δ 173.7, 158.7, 148.1, 135.8, 124.9, 112.3, 109.2, 55.5, 42.7, 37.9,
34.8, 32.5, 30.6, 30.3, 29.8; HRMS (EI): m/z calcd for C15H21NO2 (M)+: 247.1572, found: m/z =
247.1571. The enantiomeric excess of (S)-2 was determined by HPLC as > 99.9% [column,
CHIRALPAK AS-H (4.6mm×250mm), room temperature; eluent, hexane-2-propanol-trifluoroacetic acid
(90:10:0.1); flow rate, 1.0 mL/min; detect, 290 nm, tR of (S)-2, 34.7 min; tR of (R)-2 (enantiomer of (S)-2),
41.3 min].
(E)-3-(2,3-Dihydrobenzofuran-4-yl)acrylaldehyde (18).
To a stirred solution of compound 17 (0.82 g, 4.1mmol) in 20 mL of DMF were added
3,3-diethoxy-1-propene(1.9 mL, 12.5 mmol), nBu4NOAc ( 2.47 g, 8.2 mmol), K2CO3 (849 mg, 6.15
mmol), KCl (0.36 g, 4.1 mmol), and Pd(OAc)2 (30 mg, 0.13mmol). The mixture was stirred at 90 °C for 5
h. After cooling to room temperature, 2 N HCl was slowly added into the mixture. After stirred at room
temperature for 10 min, it was diluted with Et2O and washed with water. The organic layer was dried over
Na2SO4 and concentrated in vacuo. The crude product was crystallized in a mixture of EtOAc and
1
petroleum ether to afford 0.22 g (31% yield) of 18 as a yellow needle solid. mp 122–124 ºC, H NMR
(500 MHz, CDCl3) δ 3.38 (t, J = 8.7 Hz, 2H), 4.68 (t, J = 8.7 Hz, 2H), 6.67 (dd, J = 16.1, 7.6 Hz, 1H),
6.89 (d, J = 7.9 Hz, 1H), 7.11 (d, J = 7.8 Hz, 1H), 7.21 (t, J = 7.9 Hz, 1H), 7.49 (d, J = 16.1 Hz, 1H), 9.73
(d, J = 7.6 Hz, 1H). 13C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3) δ 193.8, 160.8, 150.5, 130.9, 129.9, 128.7, 127.2, 120.3,
111.9, 71.1, 29.4; HRMS (EI): m/z calcd for C11H10NO2 (M)+: 174.0681, found: m/z = 174.0680.

HETEROCYCLES, Vol. 85, No. 1, 2012
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(S)-Dimethyl 2-(1-(2,3-dihydrobenzofuran-4-yl)-3-oxopropyl)malonate (19).
Compound 18 (290 mg, 1.67 mmol) and amino catalyst 9 (54 mg, 0.17 mmol) were stirred in EtOH (5
mL) at 0 ºC for 30 min, then 11 (110 mg, 0.83 mmol) was added dropwise. The mixture was then stirred
at 0 ºC for 16 h. The reaction mixture was extracted with EtOAc, washed with 1N hydrochloric acid and
brine. Concentration in vacuo gave crude product, which was purified by column chromatography
(EtOAc : petroleum ether = 1:5) to give pure 19 as a pale yellow liquid (205 mg, 80%). [α]2D0 +4.0 (c 0.4,
1
CHCl3); H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl3) δ 2.90 (d, J = 6.8 Hz, 2H), 3.32-3.37 (m, 2H), 3.50 (s, 3H),
3.73-3.75 (m, 4H), 3.97-4.03 (m, 1H), 4.58 (t, J = 8.7 Hz, 2H), 6.62-6.64 (m, 2H), 7,05 (t, J = 7.9 Hz, 1H),
9.59 (s, 1H). 13C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3) δ 199.5, 168.4, 167.8, 160.0, 136.8, 128.5, 126.8, 117.8, 108.2,
71.1, 56.5, 52.8, 52.5, 47.4, 36.3, 28.8; HRMS (EI): m/z calcd for C16H18O6 (M)+: 306.1103, found: m/z =
306.1100. The enantiomeric excess of 19 was determined by HPLC as > 92% after conversion to the
corresponding methyl ester.9 [column, CHIRALPAK OD-H (4.6mm × 250mm), room temperature; eluent,
2-propanol/hexane 2/98; flow rate, 0.5 mL/min; tR of (S)-19, 52.3 min; tR of (R)-19 (enantiomer of (S)-19),
57.4 min, detection at 220 nm].
(S)-3-(2,3-Dihydrobenzofuran-4-yl)-5-methoxy-4-(methoxycarbonyl)-5-oxopentanoic acid (20).
A solution of compound 19 (190 mg, 0.62 mmol), sodium chlorite (200 mg, 2.2 mmol) and sodium
hydrogen phosphate (200 mg, 1.7 mmol) in 2-methyl-2-butene (1.2 mL), t-BuOH (5 mL) and water (2
mL) was stirred at room temperature for 3 h. The mixture was extracted with EtOAc, washed with brine,
dried over anhydrous Na2SO4, and evaporated to dryness to give a colorless oil 179mg (89%). [α]2D0 +3.5
(c 0.5, CHCl3); 1H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl3) δ 2.67 (dd, J = 16.4, 10.0 Hz, 1H), 2.79 (dd, J = 16.4, 4.4 Hz,
1H), 3.23 (t, J = 8.7 Hz, 2H ), 3.41 (s, 3H), 3.66-3.68 (m, 4H), 3.80-3.85 (m, 1H), 4.45-4.59 (m, 2H),
13
6.51-6.58 (m, 2H), 6.98 (d, J = 7.8 Hz, 1H). C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3) δ 176.9, 168.3, 167.8, 159.8,
136.5, 128.3, 127.0, 117.7, 108.2, 71.0, 56.3, 52.70, 52.4, 37.9, 37.8, 28.6; HRMS (EI): m/z calcd for
C16H18O7 (M)+: 322.1053, found: m/z = 322.1057.
(S)-Dimethyl 2-(6-oxo-2,6,7,8-tetrahydro-1H-indeno[5,4-b]furan-8-yl)malonate (21).
Thionyl chloride (96 mg, 0.8 mmol) was dropped into a solution of compound 20 (130 mg, 0.4 mmol) in
CH2Cl2 (3 mL), the mixture was stirred at 60 ºC for 2 h. Solvent and thionyl chloride were removed under
reduced pressure. Another CH2Cl2 (3 mL) was added into the flask. It was cooled to 0 ºC, then AlCl3 (189
mg, 1.4 mmol) was added. After stirred at this temperature for 1 h, it was warmed to room temperature
and stirred for 15 h. Then it was poured into saturated aqueous NH4Cl. The solution was extracted with
CH2Cl2, washed with brine, dried over anhydrous Na2SO4. Concentration in vacuo gave crude product,
which was further purified by column chromatography (EtOAc : petroleum ether = 1:3) to give pure 21
as a colorless oil (80 mg, 65%). [α]2D0 -163 (c 0.28, acetone); 1H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl3) δ 2.85-2.90 (m,

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2H), 3.20-3.29 (m, 2H), 3.46 (s, 3H), 3.76 (s, 3H), 3.97-4.04 (m, 2H), 4.64-4.75 (m, 2H), 6.80 (d, J = 8.3
Hz, 1H), 7.56 (d, J = 8.3 Hz, 1H). 13C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3) δ 202.6, 168.4, 167.4, 166.2, 150.4, 131.2,
125.1, 123.1, 110.5, 72.3, 52.8, 52.4, 52.3, 40.5, 36.8, 27.5; HRMS (EI): m/z calcd for C16H16O6 (M)+:
304.0947, found: m/z = 304.0945.
(S)-Dimethyl 2-(2,6,7,8-tetrahydro-1H-indeno[5,4-b]furan-8-yl)malonate (22).
A mixture of compound 21 (44 mg, 0.15 mmol) and 10% Pd/C (5 mg) in MeOH (5 mL) was
hydrogenated at room temperature for 5 h. The catalyst was then filtered off and the filtrate was
evaporated to dryness to give a colorless oil (36 mg, 86%). [α]2D0 -135 (c 0.35, MeOH);1H NMR (500
MHz, CD3OD) δ 2.16-2.47 (m, 2H), 2.67-3.17 (m, 4H), 3.56 (s, 3H), 3.70 (s, 3H), 3.85-3.89 (m, 2H),
13
4.40-4.51 (m, 2H), 6.54 (d, J = 8.0 Hz, 1H), 6.89 (d, J = 8.0 Hz, 1H). C NMR (100 MHz, CD3OD) δ
170.8, 170.4, 160.7, 140.6, 137.5, 124.5, 124.0, 109.1, 72.2, 54.9, 53.0, 52.7, 45.4, 31.2, 30.8, 29.5;
HRMS (EI): m/z calcd for C16H18O5 (M)+: 290.1154, found: m/z = 290.1151.
(S)-2-(2,6,7,8-Teahydro-1H-indeno[5,4-b]furan-8-yl)acetic acid (23).
Compound 22 (34 mg, 0.12 mmol) was dissolved in MeOH (2 mL), then NaOH (24 mg, 0.6 mmol) in
water (2 mL) was added into the flask. The solution was refluxed for 2 h. After cooling to room
temperature, the aqueous phase was treated with 1N HCl (5 mL), then extracted with EtOAc. The organic
phase was washed with brine, dried over anhydrous Na2SO4, and evaporated to dryness to give a yellow
solid. This solid was dissolved in mesitylene (6 mL) and heated to 160 ºC for 30 mins under nitrogen
atmosphere. It was cooled to room temperature and treated with 5 mL 1N NaOH solution. The aqueous
phase was acidfied with 1N HCl and extracted with EtOAc, washed with brine, dried over anhydrous
Na2SO4. Concentration in vacuo gave crude product, which was further purified by column
chromatography (EtOAc : petroleum ether = 1:3) to give pure 23 as a white solid (16 mg, 63%). mp
1
116–118 ºC, H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl3) δ 1.88-1.93 (m, 1H), 2.37-2.47 (m, 2H), 2.77-2.95 (m, 3H),
3.10-3.25 (m, 2H), 3.57-3.60 (m, 1H), 4.50-4.63 (m, 2H), 6.64 (d, J = 8.0 Hz, 1H), 6.97 (d, J = 8.0 Hz,
1H).
(S)-2-(1,6,7,8-Tetrahydro-2H-indeno[5,4-b]furan-8-yl)acetamide (24).
A solution of compound 23 (16 mg, 0.073 mmol) and thionyl chloride (26 mg, 0.22 mmol) in toluene
(2mL) was stirred at 60 ºC for 2 h. Excess thionyl chloride was distilled off, CH2Cl2 was added, and again
distillation was performed to remove traces of thionyl chloride. Ammonia gas was passed into a solution
of the acid chloride in CH2Cl2. 10 min later, the solution was poured into water, extracted with CH2Cl2,
washed with brine, dried over anhydrous Na2SO4. Concentration in vacuo gave the title compound as a
1
white solid (16 mg, 99%). mp 185–187 ºC, H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl3) δ 1.81-1.84 (m, 1H), 2.24-2.35
(m, 2H), 2.61-2.87 (m, 3H), 3.10-3.18 (m, 2H), 3.50-3.70 (m, 1H), 4.48-4.57 (m, 2H), 5.25-5.50 (br, 2H),
6.60 (d, J = 8.0 Hz, 1H), 6.93 (d, J = 8.0 Hz, 1H).

HETEROCYCLES, Vol. 85, No. 1, 2012
83
(S)-2-(1,6,7,8-Tetrahydro-2H-indeno[5,4-b]furan-8-yl)ethylamine (25).
LiAlH4 (21 mg, 0.56 mmol) was added into a solution of compound 24 (16 mg, 0.074 mmol) in THF (5
mL) at 0 ºC. The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 16 h, then EtOAc (1 mL) was added to
quench the reaction. After stirring for 0.5 h, the mixture was extracted with EtOAc, washed with brine,
dried over anhydrous Na2SO4. Concentration in vacuo gave crude product, which was further purified by
column chromatography (CH2Cl2 : MeOH = 10:1) to give pure 25 as a yellow oil (11 mg, 73%). 1H NMR
(500 MHz, CDCl3) δ 1.55-1.80 (m, 2H), 1.95-2.35 (m, 2H), 2.75-2.87 (m, 4H), 3.11-3.40 (m, 5H),
4.47-4.60 (m, 2H), 6.61 (d, J = 8.0 Hz, 1H), 6.94 (d, J = 8.0 Hz, 1H).
(S)-N-[2-(1,6,7,8-Tetrahydro-2H-indeno[5,4-b]furan-8-yl)ethyl]propionamide (1).
Propionic anhydride (8 mg, 0.06mmol) was added to a stirred solution of 25 (10 mg, 0.05 mmol) and
Et3N (15 mg, 0.15 mmol) in CH2Cl2 (5 mL) at room temperature. After the mixture was stirred for 1 h at
room temperature, EtOAc and water were added. The organic layer was washed with brine and dried over
anhydrous Na2SO4. The filtrate was concentrated to give a solid, which was further purified by column
chromatography (EtOAc : petroleum ether = 2:1) to give pure 1 as a white solid (8 mg, 62%). mp
113–115 °C, 1H NMR (CDCl3) δ 1.14 (t, J = 7.6 Hz, 3H), 1.55-2.05 (m, 3H), 2.18 (q, J = 7.6 Hz, 2H),
2.20-2.35 (m, 1H), 2.70-2.99 (m, 2H), 3.05-3.50 (m, 5H), 4.48-4.60 (m, 2H), 5.46 (br, 1H ), 6.61 (d, J =
8.0 Hz, 1H), 6.95 (d, J = 8.0 Hz, 1H). The enantiomeric excess of (S)-1 was determined by HPLC as >
92% [column, CHIRALPAK OD-H (4.6mm × 250mm), room temperature; eluent, hexane-EtOH-MsOH
(900:100:0.1); flow rate, 1.0 mL/min; detect, 220 nm, tR of (S)-1, 6.99 min; tR of (R)-1 (enantiomer of
(S)-1), 7.87 min].
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
This work was supported by the grants of The National Natural Science Foundation of China (No.
81172936 and No. 21102046), the grants of The Shanghai Science and Technology Mission
(10ZR1409600), and grants of The Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities. We also
thank the Laboratory of Organic Functional Molecules, the Sino-French Institute of ECNU for support.
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