An Organic Molecule Modulated Chemoselective Cyclization of Alkynyl Nitriles Tethered to 2-Alkyl Substituted Chromones with Multireactive Sites

A small organic molecule phenylacetonitrile promoted chemoselective cyclization of (chromen-3-yl)alkynylnitriles to generate a novel tetracyclic or tricyclic chromone scaffold has been discovered. Importantly, the phenylacetonitrile serves as an anion transfer reagent changing the normal reaction of the substrate.