Investigation of an organomagnesium-based [3 + 3] annelation to pyrans and its application in the synthesis of rhopaloic acid A.

A stepwise [3 + 3] annelation reaction has been developed that allows access to pyrans from epoxides. This process involves the addition of an allylmagnesium reagent, itself readily prepared from methallyl alcohol, and a Pd-catalyzed cyclodehydration reaction. The potential of this process to be employed in natural product synthesis has been exemplified by its use in the preparation of rhopaloic acid A.