Electrogenerated acetonitrile anions/tetrabutylammonium cations: an effective catalytic system for the synthesis of novel chromeno[3′,4′:5,6]pyrano[2,3-d]pyrimidines

An efficient and convenient synthesis of novel chromeno[3′,4′:5,6]pyrano[2,3-d]pyrimidines is described, using the electrogenerated anion of acetonitrile as the base in the presence of tetrabutylammonium fluoride as an effective supporting electrolyte in a one-pot, three-component condensation of barbituric acid, an aromatic aldehyde or isatin, and 4-hydroxycoumarin. The reaction is carried out in an undivided cell containing an iron electrode as the cathode and a Pt electrode as the anode, at a constant current at room temperature.