The reaction of (N-isocyanimino)triphenylphosphorane with dialkyl acetylenedicarboxylates in the presence of 1,3-diphenyl-1,3-propanedione: a novel three-component reaction for the stereoselective synthesis of dialkyl (Z)-2-(5,7-diphenyl-1,3,4-oxadiazepin

Reactions of dialkyl acetylenedicarboxylates with (N-isocyanimino)triphenylphosphorane in the presence of 1,3-diphenyl-1,3-propanedione proceed smoothly at room temperature to afford dialkyl (Z)-2-(5,7-diphenyl-1,3,4-oxadiazepin-2-yl)-2-butenedioates in high yields. The stereochemistry of the final products were confirmed by single crystal X-ray structure determination. The reaction is completely stereoselective.