Journal of the American Chemical Society, Vol.117, No.11, 3022-3028, 1995
Addition of Gamma-Methoxy Allylsulfonyl Anions to Cyclopentenyl Phenyl Sulfones - A Facile Synthesis of Beta-Cyclopentenyl-Substituted Dienones and Trienones
gamma-Methoxy allylsulfonyl anions undergo smooth conjugate addition to mono- and bicyclic cyclopentyl sulfones. Hydrolysis of the intermediate abducts affords delta-sulfonyl-substituted enones which may be eliminated to dienyl ketones. The mechanism of this reaction is shown to involve the intermediacy of spiro-fused cyclopropyl sulfones conjugated to an enol ether moiety. Exploration of the scope and limitations of this procedure demonstrates the potential for triply-convergent synthesis of tricyclic dienones via cyclization of a trienyl ketone.