Reaction of α-Ene-Vinylcyclopropanes: Type II Intramolecular [5+2] Cycloaddition or [3+2] Cycloaddition?

Abstract

Exposure of alpha-ene-VCPs to catalytic [Rh(dppm)]SbF(6) led to the discovery of a novel Rh(I)-catalyzed [3+2] reaction, which was shown to be efficient for the construction of 5/6- and 5/7-bicyclic compounds rather than the anticipated type II [5+2] products.