Condensed pyridine bases. Synthesis and reactions of benzofuro[2,3-c] indeno[2,1-e]-, benzothieno[2,3-c]indeno[2,1-e]-, benzofuro-[3,2-c]indeno[2,1-e] - and thieno[2,3:4′,5′]-thieno[3,2-c]indeno[2,1-e]pyridines

Condensation of hetarene carboxaldehydes with phthalide gave 2-(3-hydroxy-1-oxoinden-2-yl)benzo[b]furan and 2-(3-hydroxy-1-oxoinden-2-yl)-5- ethylthieno[2,3-b]thiophene. Starting from hetaryl acetic acids gave 3-(3-hydroxy-1-oxoinden-2-yl)benzo[b]furan and 3-(3-hydroxy-1-oxoinden-2-yl) benzo[b]thiophene. Acylation of 3-hydroxy-1-oxoinden-2-yl-substituted heterocycles using acetic anhydride in the presence of 70% HClO 4 leads to the formation of pentacyclic pyrilium salts. Pentacyclic indenopyridines are prepared by treating the pyrilium salts with ammonia. The reaction of the carbonyl group in the indenopyridines with hydroxylamine, hydrazine hydrate, and in reduction using NaBH 4 has been studied. © 2005 Springer Science+Business Media, Inc.