Pyridine-Catalyzed Chemoselective Four-Component Cascade Reaction of Aromatic Aldehydes, Malononitrile/Cyanoacetates, MBH Carbonates, and Alcohols.

An efficient pyridine-catalyzed chemoselective four-component cascade reaction of aromatic aldehydes, malononitrile/cyanoacetates, Morita-Baylis-Hillman (MBH) carbonates, and alcohols has been established. This one-pot reaction progressed in an unusual reaction with solvent participation via a Knoevenagel condensation/oxa-Michael addition/S N 2' substitution sequence. This method allowed for facile access to an array of functionalized chain alkylbenzenes and dihydroquinolinones bearing one all-carbon quaternary center in moderate to excellent yields. It is worth noting that the configuration of the all-carbon quaternary center could be modulated by changing only the electron-withdrawing groups via a tandem reduction/cyclization reaction.