The Prins Cascade Cyclization Reaction for the Synthesis of Angularly‐Fused Tetrahydropyran and Piperidine Derivatives

Abstract 2‐Arylethylbut‐3‐en‐1‐ol is found to undergo smooth Prins cascade reactions with various aldehydes in the presence of Sc(OTf)3 (10 mol‐%) and a stoichiometric amount of TsOH to afford the corresponding trans‐fused hexahydro‐1H‐benzo[f]isochromenes in good yields with excellent selectivity. Likewise, N‐tosyl‐2‐phenethylbut‐3‐en‐1‐amine gives trans‐fused octahydrobenzo[f]isoquinoline derivatives under similar conditions. This is the first example of the synthesis of hexahydro‐1H‐benzo[f]isochromene and octahydrobenzo‐[f]isoquinoline from 2‐arylethylbut‐3‐en‐1‐ol and N‐tosyl‐2‐phenethylbut‐3‐en‐1‐amine, respectively.