2-Methyltetrahydrofuran as a Solvent of Choice for Spontaneous Metathesis/Isomerization Sequence

ACS Omega. 2019 Jan 23;4(1):1831-1837. doi: 10.1021/acsomega.8b03027. eCollection 2019 Jan 31.

Abstract

A new protocol for ring-closing metathesis/isomerization sequence was developed. The reactions of selected dienes were performed in overheated 2-methyltetrahydrofuran at 120 °C and provided a wide range of cyclic vinyl ethers and amides with good yields and selectivities. Computational analysis suggests that the relative yield of products depends on a thermodynamically driven process on the basis of relative stabilities of isomers.