Regioselective synthesis of substituted cyclohexa-1,3-dienes via the base-mediated cyclisation of α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds and γ-phosphonylcrotonates

Abstract The base-mediated reaction of α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds and γ-phosphonylcrotonates under an argon atmosphere readily furnishes substituted cyclohexa-1,3-dienes. The cyclisation proceeds with complete regioselectivity to afford products that are readily amenable to further redox manipulations. The presented method allows the rapid and regioselective syntheses of six-membered carbocycles at three different oxidation levels.