On Route to Diverse Nitrogen-Bridged Polyhetero-cycles with an N(acyl), N(aryl)-acetal Core

An expeditious assembling of fused poly-heterocyclic structures having a N(Acyl), N(aryl)-Acetal core has been accomplished by cascade reaction of ortho-functionalized anilines with 2-formylbenzonitrile and subsequent intramolecular N-amidic cyclization on different electrophilic carbons. The syntheses have been finalized using both cathodically-initiated and conventional base-catalyzed methods and comparing the two approaches in terms of substrate/product scope, efficiency, energy-saving and sustainability in general.