A metal-free aromatic cascade for the synthesis of diverse heterocycles

A metal-free aromatic cascade has been developed for the synthesis of diverse heterocycles from readily accessible hydroxy/aminochalcones and acid/alkyl halides. The cascade is initiated by a base-mediated intramolecular aldol cyclization/dehydration sequence to provide a triene, which sets the stage for a 6 pi-electrocyclization/oxidative aromatization to access diverse heterocyclic scaffolds.