Polarizing the Nazarov cyclization: efficient catalysis under mild conditions.

Substituted divinyl ketones were studied in the Nazarov cyclization. alpha-Carbomethoxy divinyl ketones underwent efficient Nazarov cyclization with catalytic copper triflate (2 mol %) to give a single cyclopentenone regio- and stereoisomer. The efficiency of the cyclizations correlated with the ability of the substituents to favorably polarize the pi-system of the cationic intermediate.