Highly efficient and regioselective synthesis of keto-enamine Schiff bases of 7-hydroxy-4-methyl-2-oxo-2H-benzo[h]chromene-8,10-dicarbaldehyde and 1-hydroxynaphthalene-2,4-dicarbaldehyde

A series of novel Schiff bases has been synthesized by reacting 7-hydroxy-4-methyl-2-oxo-2H-benzo[h]chromene-8,10-dicarbaldehyde 3 and 1-hydroxynaphthalene-2,4-dicarbaldehyde 8 with several primary alkylamines in ethyl alcohol at room temperature within 1–2 min. Schiff bases 4a–i and 9 were formed regioselectively by condensation with only one aldehyde, which is in chelation with a hydroxyl group. Extensive 2D NMR spectroscopic studies revealed that all the compounds 4a–i and 9 exist in the keto-enamine tautomeric form at room temperature. The high reactivity, regioselectivity and stable keto-enamine tautomeric form are due to the presence of an electron-withdrawing aldehyde group.