Thermally induced tandem cycloaddition of 2-alkyl-3-phenylcyclopropenones to 6-aryl-1,5-diazabicyclo[3.1.0]hexanes

Thermolysis of 6-aryl-1,5-diazabicyclo[3.1.0]hexanes in the presence of 2-alkyl-3-phenylcyclopropenones gives fused polycyclic systems of the 4a,7b-diazacyclopenta[cd]inden-7-one series as a result of addition of two cyclopropenone molecules and extrusion of CO molecule. The first step of the process is characterized by 100% regioselectivity, leading to the adduct with vicinal arrangement of the aryl groups, while the regioselectivity of the second step is likely to be determined by spatial interactions between substituents in the cyclopropenone molecule and trimethylene bridge of the diazabicyclohexane. Steric hindrances in the second step could eliminate formation of stable products.