Chemoselective cyclizations of divinyl ketones to cyclohexenones mediated by Lewis acid and base.

[reaction: see text] Chemoselective cyclizations of divinyl ketones to cyclohexenones mediated by a sterically demanding Lewis acid and an amine base have been accomplished under mild reaction conditions. The extension of this methodology to the synthesis of eight-membered rings is also demonstrated.

Remarkably facile hexatriene electrocyclizations as a route to functionalized cyclohexenones via ring expansion of cyclobutenones.

This Communication describes a cascade reaction sequence that leads to highly functionalized cyclohexenones starting from reaction of cyclobutenones with alpha-lithio-alpha,beta-unsaturated sulfones and amides. The hexatriene-cyclohexadiene cyclization steps presumed to be involved in these transformations are among the most facile hexatriene electrocyclizations reported thus far.