Synthesis of spiro[2.5]octa-4,7-dien-6-one with consecutive quaternary centers via 1,6-conjugate addition induced dearomatization of para-quinone methides.

An efficient one-pot approach for the synthesis of spiro[2.5]octa-4,7-dien-6-ones by employing para-quinone methides has been developed. The reaction proceeded smoothly in high yields under mild conditions without the use of metals. Moreover, all products obtained herein contained two or three consecutive quaternary centers.