The Behaviour of 1,2,3-Indantrione Towards Wittig-Horner Reagents

Wittig-Horner reagents 1a,b react with 1,2,3-indantrione (2) to give the dimeric adducts 3a and 3b, respectively. Moreover, 2 reacts with tert-butyl diethylphosphonoacetate (1c) yielding the ethylenic compound 4. On the other hand, 2 reacts with 1d to yield the phosphonate adduct 5. Mechanisms accounting for the formation of the new products are discussed and the probable structures of the products are presented based on compatible analytical and spectral data.