23.Efficient Synthesis of Maleimides and Carbazoles via Zn(OTf)2-Catalyzed Tandem Annulations of Isonitriles and Allenic Esters

Y. Z. Li, H. X. Zou, J. X.  Gong, J. Xiang, T. P. Luo, J. M. Quan, G. X. Wang*, and Z. Yang*

Org. Lett., 2007, 9, 4057.

Lewis acid Zn(OTf)2-catalyzed tandem annulations of isonitriles and allenic esters which lead to efficient and flexible syntheses of a range of biologically significant maleimides and carbazoles and related compounds are reported. A mechanistic rationale is proposed to account for the observed reactivity.