An efficient TBHP/TBAI-mediated protocol for the synthesis of 4H-chromen-4-ones from chroman-4-ones via oxidative C–C bond formation

A transition metal-free and efficient TBHP/TBAI-mediated protocol has been developed for the synthesis of 4H-chromen-4-ones from chroman-4-ones via oxidative C–C bond formation. It proceeds in the presence of a catalytic amount of tetrabutylammonium iodide and oxidant tert-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP, 5–6 M in decane) to afford the corresponding products in good to excellent yields. Furthermore, it has been observed that an increase in the concentration of TBHP to 30 mol % drastically increases the yield of 4H-chromen-4-ones, any further increase will lead to a decrease in percent yield. The mechanism of this reaction involves the generation of tertiary butoxide radical initially which by oxidative single-electron transformation is converted to iodochroman-4-one. Later the hydrogen iodide is removed from iodochroman-4-one to give the desired product, i.e. 4H-chromen-4-ones. Moreover, this is a rare example of the n-Bu4NI/TBHP-mediated C–C bond through dehydrogenative reaction.