Intramolecular cyclisation of cationic η4-diene complexes of molybdenum: a new synthesis of tetrahydrofurans, tetrahydropyrans, and cyclopentanes

Abstract

Bis(acetonitrile)dicarbonyl η5-indenyl molybdenum tetrafluoroborate permits the direct complexation of functionalised dienes which undergo subsequent intramolecular reaction at the metal centre to provide a novel route for the synthesis of carbo- and hetero-cyclic compounds such as cyclopentanes, tetrahydrofurans, and tetrahydropyrans; the initially formed product is an η3-allyl complex which can undergo further synthetic transformation upon reaction with nucleophiles.