A [4 + 4] annulation strategy for the synthesis of eight-membered carbocycles based on intramolecular cycloadditions of conjugated enynes.

A [4 + 4] annulation strategy for the synthesis of eight-membered carbocycles is reported that proceeds via a cascade involving two pericyclic processes. In the first step, the [4 + 2] cycloaddition of a conjugated enyne with an electron-deficient cyclobutene generates a strained six-membered cyclic allene that isomerizes to the corresponding 1,3-cyclohexadiene. In the second step, this bicyclo[4.2.0]octa-2,4-diene intermediate undergoes thermal or acid-promoted 6-electron electrocyclic ring opening to furnish a 2,4,6-cyclooctatrienone. The latter transformation represents the first example of the promotion of 6-electron electrocyclic ring opening reactions by acid.