10.1055/s-1982-29856
The research investigates the [4+2]-cycloaddition reactions of ketenes with electron-rich conjugated dienes to synthesize 4-pyrones. The study explores the cycloaddition of various ketenes, including dichloro- (2a), chloro- (2b), and diphenylketenes (2c), with dienes such as 1-methoxy-3-trimethylsiloxy-1,3-butadiene (la) and 2,4-bis[trimethylsiloxy]-1,3-pentadiene (1b). The cycloaddition products initially form dihydropyrans, which then undergo a facile rearrangement to yield the desired 4-pyrones. The reaction mechanism is proposed to occur through a dipolar intermediate, with the electron-donating substituents on the conjugated diene stabilizing the positive charge in this intermediate. The resulting 4-pyrones are obtained through a relatively simple one-step preparation, offering an attractive alternative to traditional multi-step syntheses. The study highlights the general applicability of this reaction for ketenes and electron-rich conjugated dienes with specific substituents.