Rhodium-Catalyzed Dehydrogenative Cycloisomerization of Dienylcyclopropane to Highly Substituted Toluene

A rhodium-catalyzed dehydrogenative cycloisomerization of dienylcyclopropane compounds is reported, which provides a straightforward approach to a variety of highly substituted toluene derivatives in 67-85% yields. The dienylcyclopropaneimides are produced by a single-step formal three-component olefination procedure. Preliminary mechanistic studies indicated that an electron-withdrawing group as R plays a critical role in completing this transformation.

Automated summary

A rhodium-catalyzed dehydrogenative cycloisomerization of dienylcyclopropane compounds is reported, providing a straightforward approach to highly substituted toluene derivatives in yields of 67-85%. The dienylcyclopropaneimides are produced through a single-step olefination procedure. Preliminary mechanistic studies suggest that an electron-withdrawing group as R is crucial for completing this transformation.