Efficient access to novel hexahydro-chromene and tetrahydro-pyrano[2,3-d]pyrimidine-annulated benzo-δ-sultones via a domino Knöevenagel-hetero-Diels–Alder reaction in water

An efficient catalyst-free, diastereosective synthesis of novel hexahydro-chromene and tetrahydro-pyrano[2,3-d]pyrimidine-annulated benzo-δ-sultones is described. A number of 2-formyl-4-phenyl (E)-2-phenylethenesulfonates were synthesized and underwent a one-pot domino Knöevenagel-hetero-Diels–Alder reaction, respectively, with dimedone and N,N-dimethylbarbituric acid in water, affording the desired products in moderate to excellent yields.