Enantioselective Synthesis of Highly Substituted Chromans via the Oxa-Michael-Michael Cascade Reaction with a Bifunctional Organocatalyst

Article abstract of DOI:10.1021/acs.joc.5b01751

A highly enantioselective synthesis of chiral chroman derivatives via an oxa-Michael-Michael cascade reaction has been developed using a bifunctional thiourea organocatalyst. The products were obtained with excellent enantioselectivities (up to >99%), good yields (up to 95%), and diastereoselectivities (up to 5:1).

Full text of DOI:10.1021/acs.joc.5b01751

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Note
Enantioselective Synthesis of Highly Substituted Chromans via Oxa-
Michael-Michael Cascade Reaction with Bifunctional Organocatalyst
Prasenjit Saha, Arnab Biswas, Nagaraju Molleti, and Vinod K. Singh
J. Org. Chem., Just Accepted Manuscript • DOI: 10.1021/acs.joc.5b01751 • Publication Date (Web): 15 Oct 2015
Downloaded from http://pubs.acs.org on October 17, 2015
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Enantioselective Synthesis of Highly Substituted Chromans via
Oxa-Michael-Michael Cascade Reaction with Bifunctional
Organocatalyst
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Prasenjit Saha,† Arnab Biswas,† Nagaraju Molleti,† and Vinod K. Singh*†‡
†Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Bhopal, Bhopal-462066, India
‡Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur-208016, India.
ABSTRACT: A highly enantioselective synthesis of chiral chroman derivatives via an oxa-Michael-
Michael cascade reaction has been developed using bifunctional thiourea organocatalyst. The products
were obtained with excellent enantioselectivities (up to >99%), good yields (up to 95%) and
diastereoselectivities (up to 5:1).
Highly substituted chiral chromans represent an important class of heterocycles which are found in
many natural products and biologically active compounds (Figure 1).1 For example, centchroman is one
of the selective estrogen receptors and this compound is primarily used as oral contraceptive pills.2a It is
also an effective drug for dysfunctional uterine bleeding and breast cancer.2b Cromakalim is a potassium
channel opening vasodilator and used to treat hypertension.2c Bitucarpin A displays potent antibacterial
and anti clastogenic activity against both mytomicin C and bleomycin C.2d Epiconicol shows cytotoxic
activities against P388, A549, HT29 and CV1 cells.2e Due to the importance of polysubstituted chiral
chromans, the development of new asymmetric strategies for their synthesis has become an active field of
research.
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Figure 1. Selected examples of biologically active chroman compounds.
Organocatalyzed cascade reactions have become powerful synthetic tools for the construction of
heterocyclic compounds having multiple stereocenters in a single step.3 Enantioselective Michael reaction
is one of the steps involved in the synthesis of chiral heterocyclic compounds, whereas oxa-Michael
reactions have several limitations such as low reactivity and reversibility issues as well as lack of control
in stereoselectivity.4 In 2006, Arvidsson et al. reported the first organocatalytic enantioselective synthesis
of a chromene skeleton from salicylaldehyde and cinnamaldehyde using diphenylprolinol silyl ether as a
catalyst.5a Since then, significant efforts have been made by several scientific groups for the asymmetric
synthesis of chiral chroman derivatives.5,6 Gu et al. employed thiourea alkaloids as an organocatalyst for
the asymmetric synthesis of polysubstituted chiral chromans using chalcone enolate and nitromethane.5h
Recently, Wang et al. reported the asymmetric synthesis of tricyclic chroman derivatives by a tandem
oxa-Michael-Michael-aldol reaction using Jørgensen catalyst.7 For many years, our group was extensively
involved in asymmetric synthesis of chiral compounds using bifunctional thiourea and squaramide
catalysts.8 Herein, we disclose the highly efficient synthesis of polysubstituted chroman derivatives by
cascade oxa-Michael-Michael reaction from ortho-hydroxy-substituted-unsaturated ketones9 and
trans-nitroalkenes using chiral bifunctional thiourea organocatalyst.
For the preliminary studies, we have chosen (E)-3-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-1-phenylprop-2-en-1-one 2a
and trans--nitrostyrene 3a as model substrates to investigate cascade oxa-Michael-Michael reaction in
the presence of various thiourea and urea organocatalysts. As per our assumption, in the presence of 10
mol % catalyst 1a, the substrate 2a underwent reaction with trans--nitrostyrene 3a in 1,2-dichloroethane
at 70 °C to provide the highly substituted chiral chroman 4a in 70% yield, 95% ee and 85:15 dr (table 1,
entry 1). Encouraged by this result, we have investigated the effect of reaction medium for this reaction.
Among the various solvents EtOAc, CH3CN, THF, toluene and methanol, toluene was found to be the
best solvent for this reaction (97% ee, 68% yield, 85:15 dr, table 1, entry 6), whereas no reaction was
observed in methanol. It might be due to the competitive hydrogen bonding between methanol and
substrates with the catalyst. Then we have studied the effect of temperature on enantio- and
diastereoselectivity. At room temperature (25 °C) the reaction provided the desired product 4a, albeit with
low yield (35%) whereas at 50 °C the product 4a was obtained in 70% yield (99% ee). There was no
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significant improvement of diastereoselectivity by further decreasing or increasing the temperature of the
reaction. Next, we have screened various cinchona-alkaloid derived urea and thiourea organocatalysts 1a-
1h. Among all the catalysts, 1h gave best results yielding the product 4a in >99% ee and 72% yield (table
1, entry 17). We then studied the effect of catalyst loading in the reaction of 2a and 3a (table 1, entries 18-
19). The products were obtained with moderate yield and the same level of enantioselectivity on
decreasing the catalyst loading form 2 to 5 mol %. In most cases, TLC analysis revealed a single spot, so
it was not possible to separate the two diastereoisomers using column chromatography. Screening of
various conditions revealed that the optimal reaction condition is 10 mol % catalyst 1h in toluene at 50
°C.
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Table 1: Screening of Reaction Conditionsa
entry
catalyst
solvent
temp.(°C)
yieldb(%)
drc(%)
eed(%)
1
2
1a
1a
1a
1a
1a
1a
1a
1a
1a
1a
1b
1c
1d
1e
DCE
CH3CN
THF
70
70
70
70
70
70
rt
70
49
62
40
<5
68
35
70
68
55
65
65
63
64
85:15
80:20
80:20
78:22
nd
95
99
94
98
nd
97
99
99
99
99
99
97
92
97
3
4
EtOAc
MeOH
toluene
toluene
toluene
DCE
5
6
85:15
87:13
85:15
85:15
78:22
87:13
86:14
88:12
82:18
7
8
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
9
10
11
12
13
14
xylene
toluene
toluene
toluene
toluene
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1f
1g
1h
1h
1h
1h
toluene
toluene
toluene
toluene
toluene
toluene
50
50
50
50
50
50
80
70
72
48
68
67
83:17
84:16
83:17
77:23
80:20
83:17
96
99
17
>99
99
18e
19f
20g
99
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99
aThe reaction was carried out with 2a (0.1 mmol),trans--nitrostyrene 3a (0.12 mmol), catalyst 1 (10 mol %) and solvent (1.0
ml) were stirred at above mentioned temperature for 24 h. bIsolated yield of mixture of diastereoisomers. cdr was calculated from
d
e
f
1H NMR of crude reaction mixture. Determined by chiral HPLC using OD-H column. 2.5 mol % catalyst was used. 5 mol %
catalyst was used. g1.5 equiv nitrostyrene was used.
After the optimization of reaction conditions, we have explored the substrate scope of this reaction.
First we have studied the effect of substituent on trans-nitroalkenes 3. trans--Nitroalkenes 3b and 3c
having electron-donating groups took longer reaction time to afford the corresponding chromans 4b and
4c with excellent enantioselectivities (98-99% ee, 59-63% yield). Whereas, trans--nitrostyrenes having
electron-withdrawing groups on the phenyl ring such as F, Cl, Br, NO2, the reaction proceeded smoothly
to give the product 4 with excellent enantioselectivities and good yields (table 2, entries 4-9). These
results could be attributed to the enhanced electrophilicity of -carbon in the nitrostyrenes having electron
withdrawing group. Furthermore, the substrate 3j having aliphatic cyclohexyl group underwent reaction
with 2a to provide the chiral chroman derivatives with 89% ee. To further explore the versatility of the
catalytic system, we have studied the effect of substituents R1 and R2 on the substrate 2a. The substrate 2
having electron donating and withdrawing substituents such as Br, Cl, OMe on both the aromatic rings
underwent cascade oxa-Michael-Michael reaction to afford the desired product in high
enantioselectivities and high yields (up to 99% ee). The substrates 2 having methoxy group ortho to
hydroxy group as well as keto group (table 2, entry 15 and 17) took longer reaction time to provide the
product with high ee ( up to 98%) and moderate yield (32-40%). Steric effect could be the probable
reason for such disparity in reaction time and yield. In case of substrate 2f having nitro group, no product
was achieved after prolonged reaction time under standard reaction conditions (table 2, entry 16). It might
be due to the lower nucleophilicity of the hydroxy group. Notably, chalcones containing heteroaromatic
groups could also be employed to provide the chroman derivatives with excellent enantioselectivity (97-
99% ee, table 2, entries 20-21). However, when an aliphatic chalcone 2l was examined, we did not
observe any reaction. It may be due to lower electrophilicity of carbonyl carbon due to electron donating
effect of CH3. The absolute configuration of the product 4m was determined as (2R,3S,4R) by single
crystal X-ray diffraction analysis (CCDC 1056755, see supporting information).
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Table 2: Substrate Scope of Oxa-Michael-Michael Cascade Reactiona
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entry
1
R1
H
R2
R3
time(h)
24
product
4a
yield(%)b
72
drc
ee (%)d
>99
>99
98
C6H5 (2a)
C6H5 (2a)
C6H5 (2a)
C6H5 (2a)
C6H5 (2a)
C6H5 (2a)
C6H5 (2a)
C6H5 (2a)
C6H5 (2a)
C6H5 (2a)
C6H5 (2a)
C6H5 (2b)
C6H5 (2c)
C6H5 (2d)
C6H5 (3a)
84:16
75:25
80:20
80:20
80:20
60:40
84:16
84:16
80:20
80:20
nd
2
H
4-MeC6H4 (3b)
2-MeC6H4 (3c)
4-FC6H4 (3d)
2-BrC6H4 (3e)
2-NO2C6H4 (3f)
4-NO2C6H4 (3g)
4-ClC6H4 (3h)
2,4-di-ClC6H3 (3i)
Cy (3j)
48
4b
4c
59
3
H
48
63
4
H
30
4d
4e
74
>99
97
5
H
20
86
6
H
12
4f
95
96
7
H
12
4g
4h
4i
75
>99
81
8
H
24
71
9
H
24
59
98
10
11
12
13
14
H
20
4j
92
89
H
4-OMeC6H4 (3k)
C6H5 (3a)
48
4k
4l
<5
nd
5-Br
5-Cl
24
62
67:33
75:25
84:16
96
C6H5 (3a)
24
4m
4n
71
>99
99
5-
OMe
C6H5 (3a)
24
67
15
16
3-
OMe
C6H5 (2e)
C6H5 (2f)
C6H5 (3a)
C6H5 (3a)
48
48
4o
4p
32
nr
80:20
-
98
-
5-
NO2
17
18
19
20
21
22
H
H
H
H
H
H
2-OMeC6H4 (2g)
3-BrC6H4 (2h)
4-BrC6H4 (2i)
2-furyl (2j)
C6H5 (3a)
C6H5 (3a)
C6H5 (3a)
C6H5 (3a)
C6H5 (3a)
C6H5 (3a)
48
24
24
24
24
24
4q
4r
4s
4t
40
84
78
70
66
nr
75:25
80:20
80:20
84:16
84:16
-
94
97e
98
97
96
2-thiophenyl (2k)
CH3 (2l)
4u
4v
-
aThe reaction was carried out with 2 (0.1 mmol), 3 (0.12 mmol), catalyst 1h (10 mol %) in toluene (1.0 ml) at 50 °C. Isolated
b
c
d
yield of mixture of diastereoisomers. dr was calculated from 1H NMR of the crude reaction mixture. Determined by chiral
HPLC analysis. eReaction was carried out at room temperature (25 °C). nr = no reaction. nd = not determined.
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Figure 2: Synthesis of tricyclic chiral chroman 5e
Further, we have shown the synthetic utility of our methodology by transforming chroman derivatives
to tricyclic chroman. The tricyclic chiral chromans shows potential biological activities.10 The reductive
amination of the product 4e afforded the ring fused tricyclic framework 5e (Figure 2) using zinc powder
and acetic acid in high enantioselectivity (97%) and diastereoselectivity (20:1) and good yield (60%). The
configuration of newly generated chiral center in 5e was ascertained by NOE experiment.
CONCLUSION
In summary, we have developed an efficient strategy for the construction of polysubstituted chiral
chroman derivatives using bifunctional thiourea organocatalyst. The reaction conditions are operationally
very simple. The three contiguous chiral centers in products were obtained with excellent
enantioselectivities, good diastereoselectivities, and good yields. Furthermore, the products were
transformed into tricyclic chromans having ring-fused benzopyran with high enantioselectivity.
EXPERIMENTAL SECTION
Unless otherwise specified, all reactions were carried out in air without any precautions to exclude
moisture in oven dried glassware with magnetic stirring. Catalysts 1a-h were prepared according to the
procedure reported in literature.11 Chalcone derivatives 2 and substituted trans--nitrostyrenes 3 were
prepared according to modified literature procedures.12,13 1H and 13C spectra were recorded in CDCl3 or
DMSO-d6 on a spectrometer (400 or 500 MHz and 100 or 125 MHz respectively). Chemical shifts (
ppm) are relative to the resonance of the deuterated solvent as the internal standard (CDCl3,  7.24 ppm,
1
DMSO-d6,  2.50 ppm for H NMR, CDCl3,  77.20 ppm, DMSO-d6,  39.50 ppm for 13C NMR). Data
1
for H NMR are reported as follows: Chemical Shifts (, ppm), multiplicity (s = singlet, d = doublet, t =
triplet, q = quartet, ABq = AB quartet, m = multiplet or unresolved, coupling constant(s) in Hz,
integration). Data for 13C NMR are reported in terms of chemical shifts (, ppm). High resolution mass
spectra (HRMS) were obtained by the ESI (Q-TOF) ionization sources. Optical rotations were measured
on a commercial automatic polarimeter. IR spectra were measured with a FT/IR vector 22 spectrometer.
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The reactions were monitored by thin layer chromatography on precoated silica gel TLC plates. All the
compounds were purified by silica gel column chromatography using silica gel (mesh 230-400). Melting
points were recorded using a melting point apparatus and are uncorrected. The enantioselectivity was
determined by high performance liquid chromatography using OD-H, AD-H, IA and ID columns with a
200 UV-detector by using iso-propanol and n-hexane as eluents. X-ray data were recorded on a single
crystal X-ray diffractometer.
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General Procedure for the Synthesis 2:
Substituted salicylaldehyde (5 mmol) and substituted acetophenone were dissolved in 5 ml MeOH and
cooled to 0 °C. Then, 40% aq. NaOH (1.3 ml) was added dropwise to it. The reaction mixture was
allowed to come to room temperature and stirred overnight. The solvent was evaporated, aq. 1M HCl (10
ml) was added to it. The aqueous layer was extracted with ethyl acetate (3 x 15 ml), dried over Na2SO4,
filtered and concentrated on a rotary evaporator. The crude mixture was purified by column
chromatography over silica gel using hexane and ethyl acetate as eluents to obtain the pure product.
1H and 13C NMR of 2a, 2e and 2l were matched with the literature data.13
(E)-3-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-1-phenylprop-2-en-1-one (2a):
1
Yellow solid, 69% yield (1.55 g); H NMR (500 MHz, DMSO-d6): δ 10.34 (s, 1H), 8.09-8.07 (m, 2H),
8.03 (d, J = 16.0 Hz, 1H), 7.85 (dd, J = 8.0, 1.5 Hz, 1H), 7.83 (d, J = 16.0 Hz, 1H), 7.67-7.64 (m, 1H),
7.58-7.55 (m, 2H), 7.27-7.26 (m, 1H), 6.93 (dd, J = 8.5, 1.0 Hz, 1H), 6.88 (t, J = 7.0 Hz, 1H); 13C NMR
(125 MHz, DMSO-d6): δ 189.8, 157.3, 139.7, 138.0, 133.0, 132.2, 128.9, 128.8, 128.4, 121.5, 121.1,
119.6, 116.3.
(E)-3-(5-Bromo-2-hydroxyphenyl)-1-phenylprop-2-en-1-one (2b):
1
Yellow solid, 74% yield (1.12 g); H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d6): δ 10.59 (s, 1H), 8.16-8.14 (m, 3H),
7.91 (s, 2H), 7.67 (t, J = 7.2 Hz, 1H), 7.57 (t, J = 7.6 Hz, 2H), 7.41 (dd, J = 8.8, 2.4 Hz, 1H), 6.90 (t, J =
13
8.8 Hz, 1H); C NMR (100 MHz, DMSO-d6): δ 189.2, 156.4, 137.6, 137.5, 134.2, 133.1, 130.4, 128.8,
128.5, 123.7, 122.0, 118.3, 110.9.
(E)-3-(5-Chloro-2-hydroxyphenyl)-1-phenylprop-2-en-1-one (2c):
1
Yellow solid, 69% yield (0.89 g); H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d6): δ 10.58 (s, 1H), 8.14 (d, J = 7.6 Hz,
2H), 8.02 (d, J = 2.4 Hz, 1H), 7.96 (d, J = 4.8 Hz, 2H), 7.67 (t, J = 7.2 Hz, 1H), 7.57 (t, J = 7.6 Hz, 2H),
7.30 (dd, J = 8.8, 2.4 Hz, 1H), 6.95 (d, J = 8.8 Hz, 1H); 13C NMR (100 MHz, DMSO-d6): δ 189.3, 156.0,
137.7, 133.1, 131.4, 128.8, 128.5, 127.5, 123.3, 123.1, 122.1, 117.9.
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(E)-3-(2-Hydroxy-5-methoxyphenyl)-1-phenylprop-2-en-1-one (2d):
5
6
1
Yellow solid, 49% yield (0.62 g); H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d6): δ 9.82 (s, 1H), 8.11 (d, J = 7.2 Hz,
7
8
9
2H), 8.04 (d, J = 16.0 Hz,1H), 7.85 (d, J = 15.6 Hz, 1H), 7.66 (t, J = 7.6 Hz, 1H), 7.57 (t, J = 7.6 Hz, 2H),
7.42 (d, J = 2.8 Hz, 1H), 6.92-6.85 (m, 2H), 3.76 (s, 3H); 13C NMR (100 MHz, DMSO-d6): δ 189.5,
152.3, 151.5, 139.4, 137.9, 132.9, 128.7, 128.4, 121.5, 120.9, 119.2, 117.1, 111.6, 55.6.
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(E)-3-(2-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-1-phenylprop-2-en-1-one (2e):
Yellow solid, 43% yield (1.1 g); 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3): δ 8.05-8.00 (m, 3H), 7.73 (d, J = 16.0 Hz,
1H), 7.56-7.53 (m, 1H), 7.49-7.45 (m, 2H), 7.18-7.16 (m, 1H), 6.86-6.85 (m, 2H), 6.35 (s, 1H), 3.89 (s,
3H); 13C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3): δ 191.4, 147.1, 146.1, 140.3, 138.7, 132.7, 128.7, 123.7, 121.9, 121.5,
119.9, 112.2, 56.4.
(E)-3-(2-Hydroxy-5-nitrophenyl)-1-phenylprop-2-en-1-one (2f):
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Yellow solid, 31% yield (0.42 g); H NMR (500 MHz, DMSO-d6): δ 8.82-8.81 (m, 1H), 8.18-8.16 (m,
3H), 8.11 (d, J = 16.0 Hz, 1H), 7.99 (d, J = 16.0 Hz, 1H), 7.70-7.67 (m, 1H), 7.60-7.57 (m, 2H), 7.11-
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7.08 (m, 1H); C NMR (125 MHz, DMSO-d6): δ 189.2, 162.7, 140.0, 137.4, 136.9, 133.2, 128.8, 128.6,
127.1, 124.5, 123.6, 122.0, 116.6.
(E)-3-(2-Hydroxyphenyl)-1-(2-methoxyphenyl)prop-2-en-1-one (2g):
Yellow solid, 51% yield (0.65 g); 1H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d6): δ 10.2 (s, 1H), 7.74 (d, J = 16.0 Hz,
1H), 7.63 (d, J = 7.2 Hz, 1H), 7.52 (t, J = 7.2 Hz, 1H), 7.45 (d, J = 7.2 Hz, 1H), 7.37 (d, J = 16.0 Hz, 1H),
7.25 (t, J = 7.6 Hz, 1H), 7.18 (d, J = 8.4 Hz, 1H), 7.05 (t, J = 7.2 Hz, 1H), 6.90 (d, J = 8.0 Hz, 1H), 6.85
(t, J = 7.6 Hz, 1H), 3.85 (s, 3H); 13C NMR (100 MHz, DMSO-d6): δ 192.8, 157.5, 157.0, 138.6, 132.6,
131.8, 129.3, 129.2, 128.5, 126.3, 121.2, 120.5, 119.5, 116.2, 112.3, 55.7.
(E)-3-(2-Hydroxyphenyl)-1-(3-bromophenyl)prop-2-en-1-one (2h):
Yellow solid, 55% yield (0.83 g); 1H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d6): δ 10.3 (s, 1H), 8.21 (s, 1H), 8.07-8.03
(m, 2H), 7.88 (d, J = 6.8 Hz, 1H), 7.83-7.79 (m, 2H), 7.50 (t, J = 8.0 Hz, 1H), 7.25 (t, J = 8.0 Hz, 1H),
6.90 (d, J = 8.0 Hz, 1H), 6.84 (t, J = 7.6 Hz, 1H); 13C NMR (100 MHz, DMSO-d6): δ 188.1, 157.4, 140.2,
139.9, 135.5, 132.4, 131.0, 130.9, 128.7, 127.3, 122.3, 121.2, 120.4, 119.4, 116.2.
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(E)-3-(2-Hydroxyphenyl)-1-(4-bromophenyl)prop-2-en-1-one (2i):
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Yellow solid, 30% yield (0.45 g); 1H NMR (500 MHz, DMSO-d6): δ 8.09-8.05 (m, 1H), 8.02 (d, J = 7.5
Hz, 2H), 7.86-7.85 (m, 1H), 7.84-7.81 (m, 1H), 7.75 (d, J = 7.5 Hz, 2H), 7.28 (m, 1H), 6.96-6.94 (m,
1H), 6.87 (m, 1H); 13C NMR (125 MHz, DMSO-d6): δ 188.6, 157.4, 140.1, 136.9, 132.2, 131.8, 130.4,
128.8, 127.0, 121.3, 120.5, 119.4, 116.3.
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(E)-1-(Furan-2-yl)-3-(2-hydroxyphenyl)prop-2-en-1-one (2j):
Yellow solid, 44% yield (0.47 g); 1H NMR (500 MHz, DMSO-d6): δ 8.05-8.02 (m, 2H), 7.81 (d, J = 7.5
Hz, 1H), 7.71-7.64 (m, 2H), 7.28 (t, J = 7.5 Hz, 1H), 6.94 (d, J = 8.0 Hz, 1H), 6.88 (t, J = 7.5 Hz, 1H),
6.78-6.77 (m, 1H); 13C NMR (125 MHz, DMSO-d6): δ 177.1, 157.2, 153.1, 148.0, 138.2, 132.1, 128.6,
121.1, 120.7, 119.4, 118.8, 116.2, 112.7.
(E)-1-(Thiophen-2-yl)-3-(2-hydroxyphenyl)prop-2-en-1-one (2k):
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Yellow solid, 27% yield (0.31 g); H NMR (500 MHz, DMSO-d6): δ 8.23 (dd, J = 4.0 Hz, J = 1.0 Hz,
1H), 8.07-8.03 (m, 2H), 7.88 (dd, J = 8.0 Hz, J = 1.5 Hz, 1H), 7.80 (d, J = 16.0 Hz, 1H), 7.32-7.27 (m,
2H), 6.97-6.94 (m, 1H), 6.89 (t, J = 7.5 Hz, 1H); 13C NMR (125 MHz, DMSO-d6): δ 181.8, 157.2, 145.7,
138.5, 135.1, 133.0, 132.1, 128.9, 128.5, 121.2, 120.6, 119.4, 116.2.
(E)-4-(2-hydroxyphenyl)but-3-en-2-one (2l):
White solid, 58% yield (0.94 g); 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3): δ 7.84 (d, J = 16.4 Hz, 1H), 7.45 (dd, J =
8.4, 1.6 Hz, 1H), 7.42 (s, 1H), 7.26-7.22 (m, 1H), 7.00 (d, J = 16.4 Hz, 1H), 6.92-6.89 (m, 2H), 2.41 (s,
3H); 13C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3): δ 201.3, 156.2, 140.9, 132.1, 129.9, 127.9, 121.7, 120.9, 116.8, 27.1.
General Procedure for the Synthesis of Chroman Derivatives 4:
In a round bottomed flask, ortho-hydroxy--unsaturated ketone 2 (0.1 mmol, 1 equiv), trans--
nitrostyrene 3 (0.12 mmol, 1.2 equiv), catalyst 1h (10 mol %) and toluene (1.0 ml) were added and stirred
at 50 °C. After the completion of reaction, the solvent was evaporated on a rotary evaporator and the
crude mixture was purified on silica gel column chromatography using hexane/ethyl acetate or
hexane/DCM as eluents to provide the pure product 4.
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2-((2R,3S,4R)-3-Nitro-2-phenylchroman-4-yl)-1-phenylethan-1-one (4a):
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The compound was obtained as a white solid in 72% yield (26.8 mg) and >99% ee; m.p. = 190-192 °C.
The enantiomeric excess was determined by HPLC with a Chiralcel OD-H column (n-hexane:2-propanol
= 90:10, flow rate = 1.0 ml/min,  = 254 nm), tR(major) = 17.0 min, tR(minor) = 21.3 min; []D25 = –106.0
(c 0.1 in CHCl3). 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3): δ 7.87 (d, J = 7.2 Hz, 2H), 7.57 (t, J= 7.2 Hz, 1H), 7.46-
7.43 (m, 4H), 7.37 (m, 3H), 7.18 (t, J = 7.6 Hz, 1H), 7.08 (d, J = 7.6 Hz, 1H), 6.96-6.92 (m, 2H), 5.38 (d,
J = 8.8 Hz, 1H), 5.26 (t, J = 9.2 Hz, 1H), 4.51-4.46 (m, 1H), 3.48 and 3.39 (ABqd, J = 18.8, 5.2 Hz, 2H);
13C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3): δ 196.7, 153.7, 136.4, 135.6, 133.9, 129.7, 129.1, 128.9, 128.6, 128.2,
127.4, 127.3, 128.8, 122.6, 117.5, 89.5, 78.8, 41.1, 36.3. IR (thin film): 3108, 2974, 2855, 1606, 1453,
1233, 1125, 752, 700 cm-1. HRMS (m/z, ESI) calcd for C23H20NO4 (M+H)+: 374.1387, found: 374.1389.
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2-((2R,3S,4R)-3-Nitro-2-(p-tolyl)-chroman-4-yl)-1-phenylethan-1-one (4b):
The compound was obtained as a white solid in 59% yield (22.8 mg) and >99% ee; m.p. = 210-212 °C.
The enantiomeric excess was determined by HPLC with a Chiralcel OD-H column (n-hexane:2-propanol
= 90:10, flow rate = 1.0 ml/min,  = 254 nm), tR(major) = 11.6 min, tR(minor) = 15.0 min; []D25 = –110.0
(c 0.1 in CHCl3). 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3): δ 7.87 (d, J = 7.2 Hz, 2H), 7.57 (t, J = 7.6 Hz, 1H), 7.45 (t,
J = 8.0 Hz, 2 H), 7.32 (d, J = 8.0 Hz, 2H), 7.19-7.17 (m, 3H), 7.07 (d, J = 8.0 Hz, 1H), 6.97 (d, J = 8.4
Hz, 1H), 6.93 (t, J = 8.0 Hz, 1H), 5.34 (d, J = 8.8 Hz, 1H), 5.24 (t, J = 8.8 Hz, 1H), 4.50-4.45 (m, 1H),
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3.48 and 3.38 (ABqd, J = 18.8 , 5.2 Hz, 2H), 2.33 (s, 3H); C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3): δ 196.7, 153.8,
139.7, 136.5, 133.8, 132.6, 129.8, 128.9, 128.6, 128.2, 127.4, 127.2, 122.8, 122.5, 117.5, 89.5, 78.7, 41.2,
36.3, 21.4. IR (thin film): 2980, 2857, 1594, 1443, 1121, 751, 698 cm-1. HRMS (m/z, ESI) calcd for
C24H22NO4 (M+H)+: 388.1543, found: 388.1541.
2-((2R,3S,4R)-3-Nitro-2-(o-tolyl)-chroman-4-yl)-1-phenylethan-1-one (4c):
The compound was obtained as a white solid in 63% yield (24.4 mg) and 98% ee; m.p. = 155-157 °C. The
enantiomeric excess was determined by HPLC with a Chiralpak IA column (n-hexane:2-propanol =
90:10, flow rate = 1.0 ml/min,  = 254 nm), tR(minor) = 12.0 min, tR(major) = 12.6 min; []D25 = –122.0
(c 0.15 in CHCl3). 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3): δ 7.90 (d, J = 7.6 Hz, 2H), 7.58 (t, J = 7.6 Hz, 1H), 7.50-
7.44 (m, 3H), 7.28-7.24 (m, 2H), 7.18-7.16 (m, 2H), 7.09 (d, J = 7.6 Hz, 1H), 6.95 (d, J = 8.4 Hz, 2H),
5.62 (d, J = 9.2 Hz, 1H), 5.41 (t, J = 9.2 Hz, 1H), 4.53-4.48 (m, 1H), 3.57 and 3.44 (ABqd, J = 18.4, 4.4
Hz, 2H), 2.42 (s, 3H); 13C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3): δ 196.7, 154.1, 137.1, 136.5, 133.9, 133.4, 131.5,
129.7, 128.9, 128.6, 128.2, 127.4, 127.3, 126.8, 122.9, 122.6, 117.5, 88.2, 75.7, 41.0, 36.9, 19.4. IR (thin
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film): 3107, 2859, 1587, 1454, 1397, 1125, 753, 701 cm-1. HRMS (m/z, ESI) calcd for C24H21NO4Na
(M+Na)+: 410.1363, found: 410.1392.
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The compound was obtained as a white solid in 74% yield (28.9 mg) and >99% ee; m.p. = 200-202 °C.
The enantiomeric excess was determined by HPLC with a Chiralcel OD-H column (n-hexane:2-propanol
= 90:10, flow rate = 1.0 ml/min,  = 254 nm), tR(major) = 13.4 min, tR(minor) = 20.2 min; []D25 = –98.0
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(c 0.1 in CHCl3). H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3): δ 7.89 (d, J = 7.2 Hz, 2H), 7.58 (t, J = 7.2 Hz, 1H), 7.48-
7.41 (m, 4H), 7.18 (t, J = 7.6 Hz, 1H), 7.10-7.05 (m, 3H), 6.98-6.92 (m, 2H), 5.31 (d, J = 8.8 Hz, 1H),
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5.21 (t, J = 9.2 Hz, 1H), 4.49-4.44 (m, 1H), 3.55 and 3.41 (ABqd, J = 18.4, 4.8 Hz, 2H); C NMR (100
MHz, CDCl3): δ 196.6, 163.5 (d, J = 247 Hz), 153.6, 136.4, 133.9, 131.4 (d, J = 3.2 Hz), 129.3 (d, J = 8.5
Hz), 128.9, 128.6, 128.2, 127.3, 122.7, 117.5, 116.2 (d, J = 22 Hz), 89.7, 78.4, 40.8, 36.6. IR (thin film):
3578, 3077, 2980, 2875, 1597, 1448, 1228, 1121, 700 cm-1. HRMS (m/z, ESI) calcd for C23H18FNO4Na
(M+Na)+: 414.1112, found: 414.1121.
2-((2R,3S,4R)-2-(2-Bromophenyl)-3-nitrochroman-4-yl)-1-phenylethan-1-one (4e):
The compound was obtained as a white solid in 86% yield (38.9 mg) and 97% ee; m.p. = 55-57 °C. The
enantiomeric excess was determined by HPLC with a Chiralcel OD-H column (n-hexane:2-propanol =
90:10, flow rate = 1.0 ml/min,  = 254 nm), tR(major) = 14.0 min, tR(minor) = 24.5 min; []D25 = –121.0
(c 0.1 in CHCl3). 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3): δ 7.81 (d, J = 7.2 Hz, 2H), 7.57-7.54 (m, 3H), 7.43 (t, J =
8.0 Hz, 2H), 7.37 (t, J = 7.6 Hz, 1H), 7.24-7.18 (m, 2H), 7.11 (d, J = 7.6 Hz, 1H), 6.99-6.94 (m, 2H), 5.95
(d, J = 8.0 Hz, 1H), 5.55 (t, J = 8.0 Hz, 1H), 4.54-4.49 (m, 1H), 3.42 and 3.34 (ABqd, J = 18.4, 5.6 Hz,
2H); 13C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3): δ 196.6, 153.5, 136.4, 135.0, 133.9, 133.8, 131.0, 129.1, 128.9, 128.7,
128.2, 128.1, 127.7, 123.7, 122.7, 122.5, 117.4, 86.8, 77.2, 41.2, 35.9. IR (thin film): 3794, 3384, 2991,
2875, 1595, 1444, 1226, 1120, 1043, 751 cm-1. HRMS (m/z, ESI) calcd for C23H19BrNO4 (M+H)+:
452.0493 and 454.0473, found: 452.0468 and 454.0450.
2-((2R,3S,4R)-3-Nitro-2-(2-nitrophenyl)-chroman-4-yl)-1-phenylethan-1-one (4f):
The compound was obtained as a semi solid in 57% yield (23.8 mg) and 96% ee. The enantiomeric excess
was determined by HPLC with a Chiralcel OD-H column (n-hexane:2-propanol = 80:20, flow rate = 1.0
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ml/min,  = 254 nm), tR(major) = 19.6 min, tR(minor) = 40.1 min; []D25 = –248.0 (c 0.1 in CHCl3). H
NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3): δ 7.89-7.87 (m, 3H), 7.74 (d, J = 7.6 Hz, 1H), 7.66 (t, J = 8.0 Hz, 1H), 7.59-
7.51 (m, 2H), 7.44 (t, J = 8.0 Hz, 2H), 7.18 (t, J = 7.6 Hz, 1H), 7.09 (d, J = 8.0 Hz, 1H), 6.95 (t, J = 8.0
Hz, 2H), 6.01 (d, J = 8.8 Hz, 1H), 5.55 (t, J = 8.8 Hz, 1H), 4.49-4.44 (m, 1H), 3.54 and 3.42 (ABqd, J =
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18.6, 5.2 Hz, 2H); 13C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3): δ 196.6, 153.3, 149.3, 136.4, 133.9, 133.5, 130.6, 130.3,
129.8, 129.0, 128.7, 128.2, 127.4, 125.3, 123.1, 122.7, 117.4, 88.2, 74.8, 40.9, 36.5. IR (thin film): 3325,
3024, 2842, 1591, 1420, 1124, 1043, 859, 754 cm-1. HRMS (m/z, ESI) calcd for C23H18N2O6Na (M+Na)+:
441.1057, found: 441.1044.
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2-((2R,3S,4R)-3-Nitro-2-(4-nitrophenyl)-chroman-4-yl)-1-phenylethan-1-one (4g):
The compound was obtained as a white solid in 75% yield (31.4 mg) and >99% ee; m.p. = 190-192 °C.
The enantiomeric excess was determined by HPLC with a Chiralpak IA column (n-hexane:2-propanol =
80:20, flow rate = 1.0 ml/min,  = 254 nm), tR(major) = 24.2 min, tR(minor) = 26.2 min; []D25 = –105.4
(c 0.13 in CHCl3).1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3): δ 8.17 (d, J = 7.6 Hz, 2H), 7.81 (d, J = 7.2 Hz, 2H), 7.58
(d, J = 8.8 Hz, 2H), 7.52 (t, J = 7.6 Hz, 1H), 7.39 (t, J = 8.0 Hz, 2H), 7.14 (t, J = 7.6 Hz, 1H), 7.04 (d, J =
7.6 Hz, 1H), 6.94-6.89 (m, 2H), 5.37 (d, J = 9.2 Hz, 1H), 5.19 (t, J = 9.2 Hz, 1H), 4.43-4.38 (m, 1H), 3.50
and 3.36 (ABqd, J = 18.8, 4.8 Hz, 2H); 13C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3): δ 196.5, 153.2, 148.8, 142.6, 136.4,
134.0, 129.0, 128.8, 128.4, 127.3, 124.4, 124.3, 123.3, 122.6, 117.5, 89.4, 77.9, 40.7, 36.6. IR (thin film):
3367, 3015, 2840, 1594, 1413, 1121, 1044, 858, 757, 696 cm-1. HRMS (m/z, ESI) calcd for
C23H18N2O6Na (M+Na)+: 441.1057, found: 441.1032.
2-((2R,3S,4R)-2-(4-Chlorophenyl)-3-nitrochroman-4-yl)-1-phenylethan-1-one (4h):
The compound was obtained as a white solid in 71% yield (28.9 mg) and 81% ee; m.p. = 230-232 °C. The
enantiomeric excess was determined by HPLC with a Chiralcel OD-H column (n-hexane:2-propanol =
90:10, flow rate = 1.0 ml/min,  = 254 nm), tR(major) = 13.4 min, tR(minor) = 30.1 min; []D25 = –93.0 (c
0.1 in CHCl3). 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3): δ 7.88 (d, J = 7.2 Hz, 2H), 7.58 (t, J = 7.2 Hz, 1H), 7.45 (t, J
= 8.0 Hz, 2H), 7.37-7.34 (m, 4H), 7.18 (t, J = 7.6 Hz, 1H), 7.07 (d, J = 7.6 Hz, 1H), 6.98-6.93 (m, 2H),
5.32 (d, J = 8.8 Hz, 1H), 5.21 (t, J = 9.2 Hz, 1H), 4.48-4.43 (m, 1H), 3.52 and 3.39 (ABqd, J = 18.8, 4.8
Hz, 2H); 13C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3): δ 196.6, 153.5, 136.4, 135.8, 134.1, 139.9, 129.5, 129.0, 128.7,
128.6, 128.2, 127.3, 122.8, 122.7, 117.5, 89.5, 78.3, 40.9, 36.5. IR (thin film): 3078, 2991, 2841, 1682,
1552, 1372, 1226, 1092, 756, 435 cm-1. HRMS (m/z, ESI) calcd for C23H18ClNO4Na (M+Na)+: 430.0817,
found: 430.0819.
2-((2R,3S,4R)-2-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-3-nitrochroman-4-yl)-1-phenylethan-1-one (4i):
The compound was obtained as a white solid in 59% yield (26.1 mg) and 98% ee; m.p. = 125-127 °C. The
enantiomeric excess was determined by HPLC with a Chiralcel OD-H column (n-hexane:2-propanol =
90:10, flow rate = 1.0 ml/min,  = 254 nm), tR(major) = 11.5 min, tR(minor) = 29.6 min; []D25 = –56.0 (c
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0.1 in CHCl3). H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl3): δ 7.83 (dd, J = 8.5, 1.0 Hz, 2H), 7.58 (t, J = 7.6 Hz, 1H),
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7.50 (d, J = 8.5 Hz, 1H), 7.44 (t, J = 6.0 Hz, 2H), 7.36 (d, J = 2.5 Hz, 1H), 7.31 (dd, J = 8.5, 2.0 Hz, 1H),
7.19 (t, J = 8.0 Hz, 1H), 7.10 (d, J = 8.0 Hz, 1H), 6.97-6.94 (m, 2H), 5,87 (d, J = 8.0 Hz, 1H), 5.48 (t, J =
8.5 Hz, 1H), 4.50-4.46 (m, 1H), 3.47 and 3.35 (ABqd, J = 18.5, 5.5 Hz, 2H); 13C NMR (125 MHz,
CDCl3): δ 196.6, 153.4, 136.4, 136.3, 134.7, 134.0, 132.1, 130.4, 130.0, 129.0, 128.8, 128.2, 128.1, 127.6,
122.9, 122.5, 117.5, 86.8, 74.9, 41.0, 36.1. IR (thin film): 3676, 3020, 1683, 1593, 1552, 1365, 1231, 759
cm-1. HRMS (m/z, ESI) calcd for C23H17Cl2NO4Na (M+Na)+: 464.0427, found: 464.0434.
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2-((2R,3S,4R)-2-Cyclohexyl-3-nitrochroman-4-yl)-1-phenylethan-1-one (4j):
The compound was obtained as a white solid in 92% yield (34.9 mg) and 89% ee; m.p. = 150-152 °C. The
enantiomeric excess was determined by HPLC with a Chiralcel OD-H column (n-hexane:2-propanol =
95:5, flow rate = 1.0 ml/min,  = 254 nm), tR(major) = 7.5 min, tR(minor) = 10.1 min; []D25 = –34.5 (c
0.2 in CHCl3). 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3): δ 7.93 (d, J = 7.2 Hz, 2H), 7.58 (t, J = 7.2 Hz, 1H), 7.46 (t, J
= 7.6 Hz, 2H), 7.14 (t, J = 7.2 Hz, 1H), 7.01 (d, J = 7.6 Hz, 1H), 6.91-6.86 (m, 2H), 5.09 (t, J = 9.2 Hz,
1H), 4.37-4.32 (m, 1H), 4.15 (dd, J = 9.2, 1.6 Hz, 1H), 3.50 and 3.31 (ABqd, J = 18.4, 4.8 Hz, 2H), 1.86-
1.78 (m, 3H), 1.67-1.55 (m, 4H), 1.41-1.17 (m, 4H); 13C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3): δ 196.8, 154.0, 136.5,
133.8, 129.0, 128.3, 128.2, 127.3, 123.3, 122.2, 117.3, 86.0, 80.5, 41.3, 38.9, 36.4, 29.7, 26.5, 26.3, 26.1,
25.5. IR (thin film): 3373, 3017, 1598, 1413, 1121, 1046, 857, 748 cm-1. HRMS (m/z, ESI) calcd for
C23H25NO4Na (M+Na)+: 402.1676, found: 402.1680.
2-((2R,3S,4R)-6-Bromo-3-nitro-2-phenylchroman-4-yl)-1-phenylethan-1-one (4l):
The compound was obtained as a white solid in 62% yield (28.0 mg) and 96% ee; m.p. = 175-177 °C. The
enantiomeric excess was determined by HPLC with a Chiralpak IA column (n-hexane:2-propanol =
90:10, flow rate = 1.0 ml/min,  = 254 nm), tR(minor) = 14.5 min, tR(major) = 16.9 min; []D25 = –28.0 (c
0.1 in CHCl3).1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3): δ 7.83 (d, J = 7.6 Hz, 2H), 7.58 (t, J = 7.2 Hz, 1H), 7.44-7.36
(m, 7H), 7.28 (dd, J = 8.8, 2.0 Hz, 1H), 7.22-7.21 (m, 1H), 6.88 (d, J = 8.8 Hz, 1H), 5.39 (d, J = 8.0 Hz,
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1H), 5.27 (t, J = 8.4 Hz, 1H), 4.41-4.37 (m, 1H), 3.44 and 3.33 (ABqd, J = 18.8, 5.6 Hz, 2H); C NMR
(100 MHz, CDCl3): δ 196.3, 152.8, 136.2, 135.3, 134.0, 131.6, 130.1, 129.8, 129.2, 129.0, 128.2, 127.1,
125.0, 119.4, 114.8, 88.6, 78.8, 40.9, 35.8. IR (thin film): 3156, 2985, 2857, 1739, 1599, 1450, 1228,
1121, 753, 700 cm-1. HRMS (m/z, ESI) calcd for C23H18BrNO4Na (M+Na)+: 474.0311 and 476.0292,
found: 474.0302 and 476.0298.
2-((2R,3S,4R)-6-Chloro-3-nitro-2-phenylchroman-4-yl)-1-phenylethan-1-one (4m):
The compound was obtained as a white solid in 71% yield (29.0 mg) and >99% ee; m.p. = 185-187 °C.
The enantiomeric excess was determined by HPLC with a Chiralpak IA column (n-hexane:2-propanol =
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90:10, flow rate = 1.0 ml/min,  = 254 nm), tR(minor) = 13.6 min, tR(major) = 15.9 min; []D25 = –56.9 (c
0.1 in CHCl3).1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3): δ 7.84 (d, J = 7.2 Hz, 2H), 7.58 (t, J = 7.6 Hz, 1H), 7.46-7.36
(m, 7H), 7.14 (dd, J = 8.8, 2.4 Hz, 1H), 7.07 (d, J = 1.6 Hz, 1H), 6.94 (d, J = 8.8 Hz, 1H), 5.39 (d, J = 8.4
Hz, 1H), 5.27 (t, J = 8.4 Hz, 1H), 4.42-4.37 (m, 1H), 3.45 and 3.34 (ABqd, J = 19.0, 5.2 Hz, 2H); 13C
NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3): δ 196.3, 152.3, 136.2, 135.3, 134.0, 129.8, 129.2, 129.0, 128.7, 128.2, 127.5,
127.15, 127.12, 124.5, 118.9, 88.7, 78.8, 40.9, 36.0. IR (thin film): 3363, 2883, 1680, 1594, 1456, 1364,
1231, 1121, 702 cm-1. HRMS (m/z, ESI) calcd for C23H18ClNO4Na (M+Na)+: 430.0817, found: 430.0816.
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2-((2R,3S,4R)-6-methoxy-3-nitro-2-phenylchroman-4-yl)-1-phenylethan-1-one (4n):
The compound was obtained as a white solid in 67% yield (27.0 mg) and 99% ee; m.p. = 220-222 °C. The
enantiomeric excess was determined by HPLC with a Chiralcel OD-H column (n-hexane:2-propanol =
90:10, flow rate = 1.0 ml/min,  = 254 nm), tR(major) = 19.1 min, tR(minor) = 34.8 min; []D25 = –88.0 (c
0.1 in CHCl3). 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3): δ 7.85 (d, J = 7.2 Hz, 2H), 7.56 (t, J = 7.2 Hz, 1H), 7.45-7.35
(m, 7H), 6.92 (d, J = 8.8 Hz, 1H), 6.74 (dd, J = 9.2, 2.8 Hz, 1H), 6.61 (d, J = 2.4 Hz, 1H), 5.31 (d, J = 8.4
Hz, 1H), 5.22 (t, J = 8.8 Hz, 1H), 4.46-4.41 (m, 1H), 3.65 (s, 3H), 3.45 and 3.36 (ABqd, J = 18.8, 5.6 Hz,
2H) ; 13C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3): δ 196.7, 154.9, 147.8, 136.5, 135.8, 133.9, 129.7, 129.1, 128.9, 128.2,
127.2, 123.7, 118.2, 114.3, 112.3, 89.8, 79.0, 55.8, 41.4, 36.5. IR (thin film): 3021, 2884, 1598, 1418,
1122, 1043, 858 cm-1. HRMS (m/z, ESI) calcd for C24H21NO5Na (M+Na)+: 426.1312, found: 426.1318.
2-((2R,3S,4R)-8-methoxy-3-nitro-2-phenylchroman-4-yl)-1-phenylethan-1-one (4o):
The compound was obtained as a white solid in 32% yield (12.9 mg) and 98% ee; m.p. = 205-210 °C. The
enantiomeric excess was determined by HPLC with a Chiralcel AD-H column (n-hexane:2-propanol =
90:10, flow rate = 1.0 ml/min,  = 254 nm), tR(major) = 29.6 min, tR(minor) = 33.0 min; []D25 = –113.3
(c 0.12 in CHCl3). 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3): δ 7.82 (d, J =7.2 Hz, 2H), 7.56 (t, J = 7.6 Hz, 1H), 7.44-
7.40 (m, 4H), 7.34-7.33 (m, 3H), 6.89 (t, J = 8.0 Hz, 1H), 6.79 (d, J = 8.0 Hz, 1H), 6.67 (d, J = 7.6 Hz,
1H), 5.48 (d, J = 8.0 Hz, 1H), 5.27 (t, J = 8.0 Hz, 1H), 4.49-4.44 (m, 1H), 3.85 (s, 3H), 3.40-3.28 (m, 2H);
13C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3): δ 196.7, 148.8, 143.2, 136.4, 135.6, 133.8, 129.5, 129.1, 128.9, 128.2,
127.1, 123.6, 122.2, 119.0, 110.6, 89.2, 78.7, 56.2, 41.5, 35.8. IR (thin film): 2923, 1683, 1544, 1264,
1207, 1024, 750, 653 cm-1. HRMS (m/z, ESI) calcd for C24H21NO5Na (M+Na)+: 426.1312, found:
426.1302.
1-(2-Methoxyphenyl)-2-((2R,3S,4R)-3-nitro-2-phenylchroman-4-yl)ethan-1-one (4q):
The compound was obtained as a white solid in 40% yield (16.1 mg) and 94% ee; m.p. = 150-155 °C. The
enantiomeric excess was determined by HPLC with a Chiralcel AD-H column (n-hexane:2-propanol =
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90:10, flow rate = 1.0 ml/min,  = 254 nm), tR(major) = 15.7 min, tR(minor) = 20.0 min; []D25 = –85.4 (c
0.11 in CHCl3). 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3): δ 7.69 (dd, J = 8.0, 2.0 Hz, 1H), 7.49-7.37 (m, 6 H), 7.15 (t,
J = 8.4 Hz, 2H), 7.00-6.93 (m, 4H), 5.31 (d, J = 8.4 Hz, 1H), 5.24 (t, J = 9.2 Hz, 1H), 4.43-4.38 (m, 1H),
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3.86 (s, 3H), 3.58 and 3.41 (ABqd, J = 19.2, 4.8 Hz, 2H); C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3): δ 198.7, 158.9,
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153.7, 135.7, 134.4, 130.8, 129.7, 129.0, 128.3, 127.6, 127.4, 127.3, 123.2, 122.4, 121.0, 117.4, 111.7,
89.9, 79.0, 55.6, 46.2, 37.0. IR (thin film): 3025, 2839, 1597, 1318, 1124, 1044, 857, 754 cm-1. HRMS
(m/z, ESI) calcd for C24H21NO5Na (M+Na)+: 426.1312, found: 426.1335.
1-(3-Bromophenyl)-2-((2R,3S,4R)-3-nitro-2-phenylchroman-4-yl)ethan-1-one (4r):
The compound was obtained as a white solid in 84% yield (38.0 mg) and 97% ee; m.p. = 220-222 °C. The
enantiomeric excess was determined by HPLC with a Chiralcel AD-H column (n-hexane:2-propanol =
95:5, flow rate = 1.0 ml/min,  = 254 nm), tR(minor) = 22.3 min, tR(major) = 30.2 min; []D25 = –89.1 (c
0.11 in CHCl3). 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3): δ 7.97 (t, J = 1.6 Hz, 1H), 7.77 (d, J = 8.0 Hz, 1H), 7.69 (d,
J = 8.0 Hz, 1H), 7.41-7.31 (m, 6H), 7.19 (t, J = 8.0 Hz, 1H), 7.05 (d, J = 7.6 Hz, 1H), 7.00-6.93 (m, 2H),
5.39 (d, J = 8.4 Hz, 1H), 5.23 (t, J = 8.8 Hz, 1H), 4.48-4.44 (m, 1H), 3.43 and 3.33 (ABqd, J = 18.8, 5.2
Hz, 2H); 13C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3): δ 195.4, 153.7, 138.1, 136.7, 135.6, 131.3, 130.5, 129.8, 129.1,
128.7, 127.3, 127.2, 127.8, 126.7, 122.6, 122.5, 117.6, 89.3, 78.7, 41.3, 36.2. IR (thin film): 3020, 2841,
1691, 1544, 1231, 1047, 758, 696 cm-1. HRMS (m/z, ESI) calcd for C23H18BrNO4Na (M+Na)+: 474.0311
and 476.0292, found: 474.0284 and 476.0292.
1-(3-Bromophenyl)-2-((2R,3S,4R)-3-nitro-2-phenylchroman-4-yl)ethan-1-one (4s):
The compound was obtained as a white solid in 78% yield (35.3 mg) and 98% ee; m.p. = 185-187 °C. The
enantiomeric excess was determined by HPLC with a Chiralpak IA column (n-hexane:2-propanol = 95:5,
flow rate = 1.0 ml/min,  = 254 nm), tR(minor) = 33.9 min, tR(major) = 41.4 min; []D25 = –89.2 (c 0.13 in
CHCl3). 1H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl3): δ 7.76 (d, J = 8.0 Hz, 2H), 7.63 (d, J = 8.0 Hz, 2H), 7.46-7.41 (m,
5H), 7.23 (t, J = 7.5 Hz, 1H), 7.10-6.99 (m, 3H), 5.42 (d, J = 8.5 Hz, 1H), 5.27 (t, J = 8.5 Hz, 1H), 4.50
(br s, 1H), 3.46 and 3.38 (ABqd, J = 19.0, 4.5 Hz, 2H); 13C NMR (125 MHz, CDCl3): δ 195.7, 153.7,
135.6, 135.1, 132.3, 129.8, 129.7, 129.2, 128.7, 127.3, 127.2, 126.8, 122.6, 122.5, 117.6, 89.5, 78.8, 41.1,
36.2. IR (thin film): 3731, 3022, 2908, 1682, 1540, 1227, 1071, 812 cm-1. HRMS (m/z, ESI) calcd for
C23H17BrNO4Na (M+Na)+: 474.0311 and 476.0292 found: 474.0304 and 476.0296.
1-(Furan-2-yl)-2-((2R,3S,4R)-3-nitro-2-phenylchroman-4-yl)ethan-1-one (4t):
The compound was obtained as a white solid in 70% yield (25.4 mg) and 97% ee; m.p. = 170-172 °C. The
enantiomeric excess was determined by HPLC with a Chiralpak ID column (n-hexane:2-propanol =
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80:20, flow rate = 1.0 ml/min,  = 254 nm), tR(major) = 19.1 min, tR(minor) = 35.9 min; []D25 = –127.5
(c 0.12 in CHCl3). 1H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl3): δ 7.55 (d, J = 1.5 Hz, 1H), 7.43-7.37 (m, 5H), 7.17-7.12
(m, 3H), 6.97-6.93 (m, 2H), 6.52 (dd, J = 4.0, 2.0 Hz, 1H), 5.32 (d, J = 8.5 Hz, 1H), 5.26 (t, J = 9.0 Hz,
1H), 4.43-4.39 (m, 1H), 3.39 and 3.24 (ABqd, J = 18.4, 4.5 Hz, 2H);13C NMR (125 MHz, CDCl3): δ
185.9, 153.7, 152.4, 146.9, 135.5, 129.8, 129.1, 128.6, 127.4, 127.3, 122.6, 122.5, 117.7, 117.5, 112.7,
89.5, 78.9, 40.5, 36.2. IR (thin film): 3732, 3020, 2842, 1673, 1554, 1230, 1024, 754 cm-1. HRMS (m/z,
ESI) calcd for C21H17NO5 (M+H)+: 364.1179, found: 364.1209.
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2-((2R,3S,4R)-3-Nitro-2-phenylchroman-4-yl)-1-(thiophen-2-yl)ethan-1-one (4u):
The compound was obtained as a white solid in 66% yield (25.0 mg) and 96% ee; m.p. = 190-192 °C. The
enantiomeric excess was determined by HPLC with a Chiralpak ID column (n-hexane:2-propanol =
80:20, flow rate = 1.0 ml/min,  = 254 nm), tR(major) = 18.8 min, tR(minor) = 46.2 min; []D25 = –119.0
(c 0.1 in CHCl3). 1H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl3): δ 7.65 (dd, J = 5.0, 1.5 Hz, 1H), 7.61 (dd, J = 4.0, 1.0 Hz,
1H), 7.46-7.43 (m, 2H), 7.41-7.38 (m, 3H), 7.19-7.16 (m, 1H), 7.13-7.10 (m, 2H), 6.98-6.93 (m, 2H),
5.36 (d, J = 9.0 Hz, 1H), 5.27 (t, J = 9.0 Hz, 1H), 4.45-4.41 (m, 1H), 3.41 and 3.31 (ABqd, J = 18.5, 5.0
Hz, 2H); 13C NMR (125 MHz, CDCl3): δ 189.5, 153.7, 143.5, 135.6, 134.6, 132.3, 129.8, 129.1, 128.7,
128.4, 127.4, 127.3, 122.6, 122.5, 117.6, 89.4, 78.8, 41.5, 36.4. IR (thin film): 3022, 2839, 1652, 1545,
1229, 1049, 701 cm-1. HRMS (m/z, ESI) calcd for C21H18NO4S (M+H)+: 380.0951, found: 380.0972.
Procedure for the synthesis of 5e:5h
In a round bottomed flask equipped with stirring bar, 4e (0.1 mmol) and acetic acid (1 ml) were added.
The solution was cooled to 0 °C and Zn powder (2.5 mmol, 25 equiv) was added to it. The reaction
mixture was allowed to come at room temperature and stirred for 8h. After the reaction, ethyl acetate (20
ml) was added and passed through celite plug to remove the solid residue. The solvent was evaporated
and 30 ml DCM were added. The organic layer was washed with saturated sodium bicarbonate solution (2
x 5 ml) and dried over sodium sulphate. The solution was filtered, concentrated on a rotary evaporator
and purified by silica gel chromatography to afford the pure product 5e.
(2R,3aS,4R,9bR)-4-(2-Bromophenyl)-2-phenyl-1,2,3,3a,4,9b-hexahydrochromeno[3,4-b]pyrrole
(5e):
The compound was obtained as a semi solid in 60% yield (24.3 mg) and 97% ee. The enantiomeric excess
was determined by HPLC with a Chiralcel OD-H column (n-hexane:2-propanol = 98:2, flow rate = 1.0
ml/min,  = 254 nm), tR(minor) = 9.3 min, tR(major) = 14.1 min; []D25 = +65.0 (c 0.12 in CHCl3). 1H
NMR (500 MHz, CDCl3): δ 7.61 (dd, J = 8.0, 1.0 Hz, 1H), 7.52-7.48 (m, 3H), 7.38-7.31 (m, 3H), 7.23-
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7.13 (m, 3H), 6.99 (d, J = 7.5 Hz, 1H), 6.91-6.86 (m, 2H), 5.83 (d, J = 9.5 Hz, 1H), 4.60 (dd, J = 8.5, 4.0
Hz, 1H), 3.37 (t, J = 10.5 Hz, 1H), 3.27-3.21 (m, 1H), 2.35-2.31 (m, 2H), 1.87 (br s, 1H); 13C NMR (125
MHz, CDCl3): δ 154.7, 147.0, 139.2, 133.3, 129.9, 128.8, 128.5, 128.1, 128.0, 126.8, 126.7, 126.1, 125.7,
123.7, 120.6, 115.9, 82.7, 65.9, 60.7, 41.2, 37.7. IR (thin film): 3087, 2913, 1464, 1378, 1265, 1236,
1120, 1028, 742, 658, 456 cm-1. HRMS (m/z, ESI) calcd for C23H21BrNO (M+H)+: 406.0801 and
408.0782 found: 406.0801 and 408.0831.
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SUPPORTING INFORMATION:
The supplementary crystallographic data (CIF File) for the compound 4m has been provided in
the Supporting Information. CCDC 1056755 contains supplementary crystallographic data for
the structure 4m. These data can be obtained free of charge from the Cambridge Crystallographic
Data Centre via www. ccdc.cam.ac.uk/data_request/cif. Copies of NMR spectra and HPLC
chromatograms are available in the supporting information. This material is available free of
charge via the Internet at http:// pubs.acs.org.
AUTHOR INFORMATION:
Corresponding Author
* E-mail: vinodks@iitk.ac.in
Notes
The authors declare no competing financial interest.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS:
V. K. S. thanks the Department of Science and Technology (DST), India, for a research grant through a J.
C. Bose fellowship (DST, Government of India) and SERB, DST (SB/FT/CS-011/2014). P. S. and A. B.
thank IISER Bhopal for their fellowship (PRS and SRF respectively). N. M. thanks Council of Scientific
and Industrial Research (CSIR), New Delhi, for SRF.
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