Unexpected synthesis of cinnamaldehyde-dimedone adduct using samarium (III) chloride

Abstract

In the present work, 1,8-dioxooctahydroxanthene cannot be obtained from the reaction between cinnamaldehyde and dimedone (ratio 1:2) using samarium(III) chloride as a Lewis acid catalyst. The unexpected product formed is 5,5-dimethyl-2-(3-phenylallylidene)cyclohexane-1,3-dione as a result of 1:1 adduct. The product is obtained in a low to good yield and the optimum protocol can be achieved by running the reaction using 10% mol SmCl3 in water at room temperature for 2 h. This product is preliminary screened for its radical scavenging test with moderate activity.