Synthesis of helical [2.2]paracyclophanes containing carbocyclic and heterocyclic five-membered rings

The preparation of a [2.2]indenoparacyclophane-based diene is described. Diels–Alder cycloadditions of this diene with N-methylmaleimide, N-phenylmaleimide and maleic anhydride occurred in good yields and anti-diastereoselectively only under high pressure conditions. Heterohelicenophanes were prepared by dehydrogenation of the Diels–Alder products with 10% Pd/C catalyst. A new helicenophanequinone was obtained by the reaction between the diene and 1,4-naphthoquinone.