Synthesis of hydronaphthalenes through coupling of enyne-carbonyl compounds that contain pendant alkane groups with Fischer carbene complexes

The coupling of enyne-carbonyl compounds that contain pendant alkene groups with Fischer carbene complexes to afford furans that contain pendant alkene groups is described. Subsequent intramolecular Diels–Alder reactions are effective in selected cases, resulting in hydronaphthalene systems after dehydration. Although the Diels–Alder event is thermodynamically unfavorable, the overall transformation of alkene–furans to dihydronaphthalenes is a favorable process.