Transannular cyclization aldol reactions

Macrocyclic diketones can undergo transannular aldol cyclization reactions, giving bicyclic aldols. A representative example is seen in the cyclization of 1,6-cyclodecanedione to the corresponding hy-droazulenone (equation 142). Aldolization of the related cyclodecadienedione (120) has also been examined under mildly basic conditions aldols (121) and (122) are the main products, being formed in a ratio of 1 4 (equation 143). Control experiments with the pure aldols showed that this is the thermodynamic ratio of isomers. 

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