The six-membered annulation reaction involving sequential palladium-catalyzed allylic alkylation and Michael addition: scope and limitations

The palladium-catalyzed condensation of a variety of active methylene compounds with methyl 6-acetoxymethyl-hepta-2,6-dienoate was investigated. The six-membered adducts resulting from a η3 palladium complex alkylation–Michael addition sequence were obtained with moderate to good yields. In some cases, further evolution of the primary adduct was observed. The process has been expanded to access nitrogen heterocycles by using sodium p-toluenesulfonamide as the nucleophilic partner.