Abstract: A variety of butenolides were prepared by cyclization of bis(silyl enol ethers), such as 1,3-bis(silyloxy)-1,3-butadienes, 1,3-bis(trimethylsilyloxy)alk-1-enes or 1,1-bis(silyloxy)ketene acetals, with oxalyl chloride. The products are of pharmacological relevance.

Review: Synlett 2006, 3369-3381.

Period of investigation: 1999 – 2009

Keywords: silyl enol ethers; cyclizations; heterocycles

Abstract: The cyclization of oxaldiimidoyl dichlorides, readily available novel building blocks, with ambident dianions and other bis(nucleophiles), such as diamines, provides a convenient access to a variety of heterocycles important in medicinal chemistry or materials science. Reactions include cyclization-, domino-, one-pot- and double-anion-capture-reactions.

Review: Eur. J. Org. Chem. 2002, 221-234.

Period of investigation: 1999 – 2006

Keywords: cyclizations; dianions; heterocycles