Thermal intramolecular cycloaddition of 4-alkenylfulvene; highly regio- and diastereoselective formation of [4+2] adduct

4-Alkenylfulvenes were prepared by the annulation of 1,4-ynediones and allylidenetriphenylphosphorane and subjected to a thermal reaction. Highly regio- and stereoselective [4+2] cycloaddition is accomplished with 4-((R)-3-benzyloxypent-4-en-1-yl)fulvene and the resulting adduct is transformed into bicyclo[3.3.0]octene derivative.