Synthesis of polyfunctionalized acrylates via one-pot reactions of arylamines, methyl propiolate, aromatic aldehydes, and active methylene compounds.

An efficient synthetic method for the densely substituted 3-arylaminoacrylates was successfully developed via the one-pot reaction of arylamines, methyl propiolate, aromatic aldehydes, and active methylene compounds such as pivaloylacetonitrile, 1,3-cyclopentanedione, and 4-hydroxycoumarin. The key step of the reaction was believed to involve the formation of a β-enamino ester and a sequential Michael addition to the in situ formed arylidene dicarbonyl compound.