An efficient one-pot four-step domino reaction for the synthesis of C2-substituted 3-methylcyclohex-2-enones

An efficient one-pot four-step domino reaction of substituted β-ketoesters has been optimized giving rise to a large panel of C2-substituted 3-methylcyclohex-2-enones, an important scaffold for the preparation of various initiators for cationic or radical cyclizations. The developed methodology is quite general and applicable to a wide range of β-ketoester substrates, allowing the introduction of various functionalities at the C2 position of the 3-methylcyclohex-2-enones, in good to excellent yields.