Cycloisomerisation of polyenes such as diethyl geranylprenylmalonate [(E)-1 a], diethyl geranylphenylmalonate [(E)-2 a] and diethyl cinnamylgeranylmalonate [(E,E)-3 a] catalysed by bismuth triflate was studied from experimental and theoretical viewpoints. Several intermediates were isolated and characterised, and calculated transition-state structures are proposed for the three reactions. The diastereoselectivity observed during the reaction of (E)- or (Z)-2 a in favour of the formation of trans-fused bicyclic products is discussed in detail. The nature of the active catalytic species derived from bismuth triflate was also investigated, and the formation of a hybrid Lewis acid/Brønsted acid catalyst with water molecules is proposed, supported by experimental and theoretical data.

A microwave-assisted method for the palladium-catalyzed direct arylation of quinazolin-4-one has been developed under copper-assistance. This method is applicable to a wide range of aryl iodides and substituted (2H)-quinazolin-4-ones. This protocol provides a simple and efficient way to synthesize biologically relevant 2-arylquinazolin-4-one backbones.