Multicomponent reactions involving zwitterionic intermediates for the construction of heterocyclic systems: one pot synthesis of aminofurans and iminolactones

The reaction of 1:1 zwitterionic intermediate generated in situ from dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate (DMAD) and cyclohexyl isocyanide with aldehydes and quinones is described. The reaction of stoichiometric amounts of DMAD, isocyanide and aldehydes afforded 2-aminofurans in good yields, while the reaction with quinones gave iminolactones.