Efficient Nazarov Cyclization/Wagner–Meerwein Rearrangement Terminated by a Cu^II‐Promoted Oxidation: Synthesis of 4‐Alkylidene Cyclopentenones

Abstract

The discovery and elucidation of a new Nazarov cyclization/Wagner-Meerwein rearrangement/oxidation sequence is described that constitutes an efficient strategy for the synthesis of 4-alkylidene cyclopentenones. DFT computations and EPR experiments were conducted to gain further mechanistic insight into the reaction pathways.