Synthesis of pyrenocycloalkenes by using [2 + 2] photocycloaddition to pyrene and Diels–Alder reaction

Photoreaction of pyrene 1 with methyl cinnamate 15a gave a photocycloadduct 16a at 4,5-position of pyrene stereoselectively. Oxidation of 16a using DDQ yielded a pyrenocyclobutene derivative 18a. Functional group conversion of the ester moiety of 18a resulted in the synthesis of carboxylic acid 19, alcohols 20 and 21, sulfonate 23, and methylenecyclobutene 24. Diels–Alder reactions of 18a with electron-deficient alkenes or alkynes 25a–f afforded cycloadducts, pyrenocyclohexenes 26a–c and pyrenocyclohexadienes 26e, f stereoselectively in good yields. Thermal reactions of pyrenocyclobutene-linked electron-deficient alkenes 22a, b produced 4-benzyl-5-alkenylpyrenes 29a, b via ring cleavage followed by 1,5-hydrogen transfer.