Multicomponent All-Carbon Cascade and Sequential Annulation: Construction of Functionalized Decalins.

The decalin skeleton is found in numerous bioactive molecules. The present study describes a multicomponent all-carbon cascade and sequential annulation involving benzoylacetonitrile derivatives and 2-arylidene-1,3-indanediones that yields highly functionalized decalin derivatives. The reaction strategy consisted of a consecutive Michael/Michael/tautomerization/Michael/Aldol annulation sequence and involved organic amine catalysts, mild conditions, and high stereoselectivity. This strategy, using a one-pot approach, resulted in the construction of four C-C bonds and the formation of fused carbocyclic decalin derivatives.