Domino Knoevenagel–hetero-Diels–Alder reactions: a stereoselective synthesis of sugar-annulated furo[3,2-b] pyrano[4,3-d]pyran derivatives

The O-propargyl derivative of a sugar aldehyde derived from d-glucose undergoes smooth intramolecular domino Knoevenagel–hetero-Diels–Alder reactions with 1,3-diketones in the presence of CuI/Et3N system in refluxing methanol to afford a novel class of carbohydrate analogues, furopyranopyrans in good yields. 1-Aryl-pyrazol-5-ones also undergo smooth coupling with O-propargyl tethered sugar aldehyde under similar conditions to furnish pyrazole-annulated furopyranopyrans. The stereochemistry of the products was assigned by various NMR experiments.