Solid-Phase Synthesis of Dihydropyrans by Eu(fod)3-Catalysed [4+2] Heterocycloaddition of Vinyl Ethers with Benzylidenepyruvic Acid Esters. Comparison with Conventional Homogeneous Liquid Phase Conditions

The OH groups of Wang resin were esterified with benzylidenepyruvic acid (1) to give the immobilized 1-oxabutadiene 2. The latter reacted with vinyl ethers 3a-h (dienophiles) in the presence of Eu(fod)3, and the resulting adducts 4a-h underwent reductive cleavage with LiAlH4 to afford the dihydropyrans 5a-h in high (62 to 100%) overall yields. A similar sequence carried out under conventional homogeneous liquid phase conditions led to significantly lower yields. The endo/exo selectivity of the cycloaddition reaction was the same in both cases.