Rh(I)-catalyzed intramolecular [3 + 2] cycloaddition of trans-vinylcyclopropane-enes.

Lei Jiao, Siyu Ye, Zhi-Xiang Yu

Index: J. Am. Chem. Soc. 130(23) , 7178-9, (2008)

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Abstract

Vinylcyclopropane (VCP) has been well applied as a five-carbon component, rather than a three-carbon component, in transition-metal catalyzed cycloadditions. Here we demonstrate a Rh(I)-catalyzed [3 + 2] reaction of trans-VCP-enes, where VCP acts as a three-carbon synthon to furnish five-membered carbocycles. This novel cycloaddition is efficient in generating bicyclic cyclopentanes in good yields from simple and easily prepared substrates. When cis-VCP-ene is used as the substrate, VCP acts as a five-carbon unit to give a [5 + 2] cycloadduct. Rationalization of the [3 + 2] and [5 + 2] cycloadditions of VCP-enes has been proposed.