Versatile method for the synthesis of 4-substituted 6-methyl-3-oxabicyclo[3.3.1]non-6-ene-1-methanol derivatives: Prins-type cyclization reaction catalyzed by hafnium triflate

A versatile method for the synthesis of 4-substituted 6-methyl-3-oxabicyclo[3.3.1]non-6-ene-1-methanol derivatives has been developed using Prins-type cyclization reaction between aldehydes and O-protected/unprotected cyclohex-3-ene-1,1-dimethanol. Under optimized reaction conditions using hafnium triflate, various substrates, including functionalized benzaldehydes and heteroaromatic carbaldehydes, afforded cyclization products in high yields.