An efficient approach to the synthesis of 3-vinylidene tetrahydropyrans via Prins-type cyclization

Lewis acid-catalyzed intramolecular reactions of oxocarbenium ions with propargylsilanes are described. The results obtained indicate that trimethylsilyl trifluoromethanesulfonate (TMSOTf) efficiently catalyses cyclization leading to the corresponding 3-vinylidene tetrahydropyrans in high yield as single isomers.