Abstract
For the first time, tetracyclic compounds, namely, furo[2′,3′:3,4]cyclohepta[1,2‐b]indoles were synthesized by recyclization of ortho‐substituted aryldifurylmethanes containing tert‐butyl groups at C5 positions of the furan rings. It was shown that [2‐(benzoylamino)phenyl]bis(5‐tert‐butyl‐2‐furyl)methanes 12 are transformed into tetracycles 15 at room temperature under treatment with POCl~3~ in benzene solution containing some drops of water. The reaction proceeds via the intermediate formation of 1‐benzoylamino‐3‐(5‐tert‐butyl‐2‐furyl)‐2‐(4,4‐dimethyl‐3‐oxopentyl)indoles 14 which can be isolated from the reaction mixture. The method is very simple but its application is restricted due to side reactions if electron‐releasing groups are present in 12. On the other hand, the decrease of electron density on furan ring in the starting compounds (for example, the use of [2‐X‐phenyl]difurylmethanes (where X = tosylamino or hydroxy group) prevents cyclization under the studied reaction conditions. As a result, corresponding ketones are formed as products of recyclization. J. Heterocyclic Chem., (2011).