A straightforward synthesis of cyclobutenones via a tandem Michael addition/cyclization reaction of 2,3-allenoates with organozincs

An efficient method for synthesis of polysubstituted cyclobutenones, which are not readily available from traditional methods due to the intrinsic ring strain, is described. The reaction of 2,3-allenoates and organozinc reagents proceeds via a tandem Michael addition/cyclic 1,2-addition/elimination mechanism with the functional groups from the organozinc reagents being introduced to the 3-position of the cyclobutenone products regiospecifically in moderate to excellent yields. Application to the synthesis of stereodefined β,γ-unsaturated enones is demonstrated.

Studies on K2CO3-Catalyzed 1,4-Addition of 1,2-Allenic Ketones with Diethyl Malonate: Controlled Selective Synthesis of β,γ-Unsaturated Enones and α-Pyrones

The K2CO3 (10 mol %)-catalyzed 1,4-addition reaction of diethyl malonate with various substituted 1,2-allenic ketones leading to polyfunctionalized beta,gamma-unsaturated enones 3 or 4 was studied. With 3-unsubstituted 1-substituted-1,2-allenyl ketones, the highly selective formation of beta,gamma-unsaturated enones 4 was observed; with 1,2-allenyl ketones bearing one or two 3-substituents in the allenyl group, only beta,gamma-unsaturated enones 3 with an unmigrated carbon-carbon double bond were produced; with 3-monosubstituted-1,2-allenyl ketones Z-beta,gamma-unsaturated enones 3 were formed with excellent stereoselectivity (E:Z > 96:4); with propadienyl ketones, mixtures of beta,gamma-unsaturated enones 3 and 4 were formed. alpha-Pyrone derivatives were synthesized via the K(2)CO(3)-catalyzed or -promoted reaction of 1,2-allenic ketones with diethyl malonate via a sequential Michael addition-carbon-carbon double bond migration-lactonization process.