Tandem radical reactions and ring-closing metathesis. Application in the synthesis of cyclooctenes.

Abstract

[reaction: see text] Fumarate- and acrylate-substituted oxazolidinones undergo tandem radical reaction to form dienes in moderate to good yields. The resulting dienes provide cyclooctenes in moderate to good yields after ring-closing metathesis (RCM). The role of the carbon backbone substituents and other variables in the efficiency of the eight-membered ring formation is discussed.