Enol ethers annulation with alkenes

Pd(II)-catalyzed cyclization of the siloxyhexatriene 34 offers a cyclohexe-none annulation method. The Pd enolate 35, formed by transraetallation of the silyl enol ether with Pd(II), is an intermediate which undergoes intramolecular eWo-alkene insertion. Then Pd(II) is regenerated to give 36, and finally cyclohexenone is formed[38]. 

Using acyclic and cyclic N-tosylated iodomethylaziridines, Taguchi investigated annulation reactions [46]. The reaction with electron-rich alkenes such as enol ethers proceeds smoothly as illustrated in Scheme 18. 

However, the greatest amount of work in the area of intramolecular cation-radical coupling reactions involves annulation of less ionizable alkenes (or alkynes) with enol ethers or vinyl sulfides. Typically, these reactions are used to form six-159,163 or five-membered165 rings, usually stereospecifically (Schemes 67 and 68, respectively). As seen... 

Addition of an T -allyl-Fp complex to this compound affords an T -aIlyl-Fp-substituted cycloheptatriene system. Two double bonds are involved in an (T -diene)iron complex. The remaining free double bond of the silyl enol ether attacks as a nucleophile at the cationic r -alkene-Fp moiety to form an (Tj -diene)iron complexed cyclopentane annulated cycloheptadienone. Treatment with CAN in methanol under carbon monoxide atmosphere releases the methoxycarbonyl-substituted free ligand (Scheme 4-25). Reaction of the Ti -dienyliumiron intermediate of Scheme 4-25 with an ( , Z)-isomeric mixture of ri -crotyl-Fp proceeds with high diastereoselectivity. Four new stereogenic centers are formed in the course of this formal [3+2] cycloaddition. A hetero [3+2] cycloaddition is also feasible between T -ailyl-Fp complexes and aromatic aldehydes in the presence of zinc chloride or titanium(IV) chloride to provide tetrahydrofuran derivatives (Scheme 4-26). A 1,2-shift of the iron complex fragment occurs in the course of this reaction. Employment of imines affords the corresponding pyrrolidines. ... 

In the early 1960s, Brannock et al. reported a thermal [2+2] cycloaddition of enamines. Enamines react with a variety of electron-deficient alkenes such as acrylates, nitro-olefines, acetonitriles, vinylsulfones, fumarates, and malei-mides to give aminocyclobutanes [4]. The reaction generally does not require the assistance of an acid catalyst. Narasaka et al. exploited asymmetric thermal [2+2] cycloaddition of vinyl and aUenyl sulfides with electron-deficient alkenes catalyzed by Lewis acid [5]. Yamazaki et al. have reported that a stoichiometric amount of Lewis acid activates [2+2] cycloaddition of vinylselenides with highly electron-deficient olefins [6]. These reactions proceed via a stepwise annulation to give mercapto- and seleno-cyclobutanes, respectively. However, cyclobutane formation from silyl enol ethers, which are one of the most easily prepared ketone... 

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