Phosphine-mediated [4+2] annulation of bis(enones):: A Lewis base catalyzed mock Diels-Alder reaction

Lewis-base-catalyzed cycloisomerization of bis(enones) to decalins has been demonstrated as an alternative to the traditional Lewis acid catalyzed Diels-Alder cycloaddition. In this process, a trialkylphosphine mediates both bond formation steps in two distinct catalytic cycles. The single-pot operation generates two carbon-carbon bonds and up to five contiguous stereocenters in one step, starting from achiral, aliphatic substrates; eight examples are provided.