Ag(I)-Catalyzed [3 + 2]-Annulation of Cyclopropenones and Formamides via C-C Bond Cleavage.

An unprecedented Ag-catalyzed [3 + 2]-annulation of cyclopropenones and DMF via C-C bond cleavage is disclosed. This protocol exhibited excellent chemo- and regio-selectivity, and tolerated various functional groups. More importantly, DMF served as the C═O bond in the cycloaddition reaction, providing an efficient way to construct γ-aminobutenolides. In addition, transesterification reaction occurred when DMF was replaced by esters.