Annulative Morita–Baylis–Hillman reaction to synthesise chiral dibenzocycloheptanes

Abstract

We describe the first metal-free and organocatalytic strategy to access highly functionalised dibenzocycloheptanes via a phosphine-promoted annulative Morita–Baylis–Hillman (MBH) reaction. The method is manipulated to access to chiral dibenzocycloheptanes as well. This work represents a rare entry for the construction of seven-membered carbocycles via the MBH route. The realisation of several bioactive molecules possessing the dibenzocycloheptane core makes this an attractive strategy.