The rhodium(II)-catalyzed reaction of iodonium ylides with a variety of conjugated
compounds has been examined. With α,β-unsaturated esters and α,β-unsaturated ketones,
dihydrofurans were produced in moderate yields. Reactions with acrylonitriles yield
oxazoles and dihydrofurans in moderate yields, whereas reactions with 1,3-butadienes
result in dihydrofurans and dihydrooxepines in good yields, respectively. The mechanistic
pathway for the formation of these products has been described in terms of a cyclopropane
intermediate or a 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition mechanism.
iodonium ylides - rhodium(II)-catalyzed reaction - dihydrofurans - oxazoles - dihydrooxepines