Unusual reactivity of rhodium carbenes with allenes: an efficient asymmetric synthesis of methylenetetrahydropyran scaffolds

Chem Commun (Camb). 2017 Aug 31;53(71):9922-9925. doi: 10.1039/c7cc04803c.

Abstract

A RhI/(S)-BINAP catalytic system is able to promote carbene alkyne metathesis and cascade this elemental step with an stereoselective reaction with allenes. An unusual carbene/allene reactivity is discovered that, through a formal addition of p-toluenesulfinic acid to a Rh-bound trimethylenemethane intermediate, affords 4-methylenetetrahydropyran compounds in good yields and excellent enantioselectivities.