Some Aspects of Palladium-Catalyzed Cycloalkenylation:  Developments of Environmentally Benign Catalytic Conditions and Demonstration of Tandem Cycloalkenylation

The influences of catalysts, substituent groups, and solvents on the palladium-catalyzed cycloalkenylation of cross-conjugated silyl enol ethers of 2-tert-butyldimethylsiloxy-5-(2-propenyl)-1,3-cyclohexadiene derivatives have been investigated. The catalytic reaction proceeded smoothly, even in aqueous media. The product ratios were influenced by the structure of substrates as well as solvents. In addition, it was found that the reaction is applicable to a tandem cyclization for the construction of cedrane skeleton.