Abstract
We report in this paper a Lewis acid [Nd(OTf)(3)]-catalyzed protocol to construct compounds containing a 5-7-6 tricyclic framework in good yield from readily accessible starting materials vinylidenecyclopropanes (VDCPs) 1 and enynols 2a-c under mild conditions. Upon examination of the scope and limitations of this reaction, it was found that the corresponding highly functionalized cyclopentane derivatives could be formed in good yields from the reaction VDCPs 1 and enol 2e or dienol 2c under identical conditions. ((C) Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2009)