Further observations on the rhodium (I)-catalysed tandem hydrosilylation-intramolecular aldol reaction

The rhodium (I) catalysed tandem hydrosilylation-intramolecular aldol reaction provides a simple strategy for construction of a range of usefully functionalised five-membered rings from readily prepared 6-oxo-2-hexenoates in good yield and with good to excellent stereoselectivity. A series of silanes and rhodium catalysts have been investigated. Stereoselectivity proved to be highly dependant on the catalyst as well as on the substitution pattern of the parent substrate. The extension of this methodology for the synthesis of larger ring sizes has also been evaluated.