Baylis-Hillman Adducts as a Valuable Source for Synthesis of Functionalized [4,4,4]-Propellone Dilactone Derivatives

A simple and facile synthesis of functionalized [4,4,4]-propellone dilactone derivatives through dialkylation of cyclic 1,3-diketones with Baylis-Hillman adducts and subsequent dilactonization is described. This methodology is appealing because it is reliable and scalable (the products can be synthesized on a gram scale). The tricyclic products can be exploited for their biological activity.