Base-controlled selective conversion of Michael adducts of malonates with enones in the presence of iodine.

An efficient base-controlled selective conversion of the Michael adducts of malonates with enones in the presence of iodine is reported. Highly functionalized cyclopropane, oxetane, and α-hydroxylmalonate derivatives are obtained selectively using DBU, Na(2)CO(3), and NaOAc as the base, respectively. O(2) was identified to be crucial to the formation of oxetane and α-hydroxylmalonate derivatives.