DABCO- and DBU-promoted one-pot reaction of N-sulfonyl ketimines with Morita–Baylis–Hillman carbonates: a sequential approach to (2-hydroxyaryl)nicotinate derivatives

An intriguing DABCO-catalyzed and DBU-promoted one-pot synthesis of an important class of (2-hydroxyaryl)pyridine derivatives bearing a carboxylate or a nitrile group suitably placed at C3 position of the aza-ring has been achieved in acceptable chemical yields with a broad functional group tolerance. This sequential C–C/C–N bond making process proceeds through a regioselective allylic alkylation/aza-Michael reaction between MBH carbonates derived from an acrylate/acrylonitrile and N-sulfonyl ketimines as C,N-binucleophiles catalyzed by DABCO, followed by elimination of SO2 under the influence of base and subsequent aromatization in an open atmosphere.