Phosphine- and water-promoted pentannulative aldol reaction†

Abstract

Herein, an efficient metal-free intramolecular aldol reaction for the synthesis of an unusual class of cyclopentanoids is described. The reaction of α-substituted dienones tethered with ketones in the presence of tributylphosphine and water provided aldols. The role of water was realised to be crucial for this transformation. Furthermore, isotopic labeling experiments provided vital information about the reaction mechanism.