Fig. 4: The synthetic route of 17a(1–5), 17b(1–5), 17c(1–6), 18a(1–5), 18b(1–6) and 18c(1–6).

(i) 4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethylbenzonitrile or (E)-3-(4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethylphenyl)acrylonitrile, K2CO3, DMF, 50 °C; (ii) 9a–c, Pd(OAc)2, xantphos, Cs2CO3, N2, 1,4-dioxane, 90 °C; (iii) TFA, DCM, r.t.; (iv) different sulfonyl chlorides or acyl chloride, TEA, DCM, 0 °C.