Bicyclo decatrienone

Rh2(OAc)4-catalyzed decomposition of m-methoxy-substituted diazoketones 244 furnishes 6-methoxy-2-tetralones rather than the expected bicyclo[5.3.0]decatrienones. This demonstrates that the direction of ring opening in the norcaradienone intermediate 245 may well be influenced by the nature and position of a substituent. 

Decomposition of l-diazo-4-arylbutan-2-ones offers a direct entry to bicyclo[5.3.0]decatrienones and the approach has been extensively used by Scott and coworkers to synthesize substituted azulenes.137 Respectable yields were obtained with copper catalysis,137 but a more recent study24 showed that rho-dium(ll) acetate was much more effective, generating bicyclo[5.3.0]decatrienones (154) under mild conditions in excess of 90% yield (Scheme 34). The cycloheptatrienes (154) were acid labile and on treatment with TFA rearranged cleanly to 2-tetralones (155), presumably via norcaradiene intermediates (156). Substituents on the aromatic ring exerted considerable effect on the course of the reaction. With m-methoxy-substituted systems the 2-tetralone was directly formed. Thus, it appeared that rearrangement of (156) to (154) was kinetically favored, but under acidic conditions or with appropriate functionality, equilibration to the 2-tetralone (155) occurred. 

Intramolecular Buchner reaction. Rh(OAc), is more efficient than CuCl as the catalyst for cyclization of the a-diazo ketone 1, derived from 3-phenylpropionic acid, to bicyclo 5.3.0]decatrienone (2). This product isomerizes in the presence of triethylamine to the more stable trienone 4. A useful isomerization to 3-tetralone (3) occurs in the presence of trifluoroacetic acid. 

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