Reaction of 3-arylidenepropenoic acid derivatives with triethylamine and other amines; unexpected reductions and vinylogations

Exposure of ethyl 2-cyano-3-(2-methoxy-5-nitrophenyl)acrylate 1f to triethylamine in hot ethanol resulted in the formation of the dihydro derivative 2f and vinylogue 3f in high yields. Single crystal X-ray data are provided for 3f. Similar reactions were observed for various analogues. The reaction was studied changing aryl substituent, amines and solvents. Pyridyl, thienyl analogues were also examined. The study was extended to cyclic molecules incorporating such systems like thiazolidinedione 8, 3-cyanocoumarin 9 and 4-arylidene-isoquinoline-2,4-diones 11. The last group gave vinylogated products, 4-cinnamylidene-isoquinolinediones and 4-hydroxylated species. A few examples of arylidene derivatives from malononitrile, ethyl acetoacetate, acetyl acetone and ethyl methylsufonylacetate were investigated. Ethyl cinnamate and β-nitrostyrene were unaffected. The reaction is considered to be possibly radical mediated, since addition of free radical quencher suppressed the reaction. Contrary to the effects of thermal conditions, irradiation of 1f in ethanol at 254 and 365 nm gave complex mixtures. A few other interesting observations in this study are noted: vinylogation of 1f with acetaldehyde to 3f; formation of 3f from 1f by the treatment with triethylamine, palladium carbon and reduction of 1f to 2f by triethylammonium formate in DMF. [Display omitted]