Nazarov Cyclization and Tandem [4 + 2]-Cycloaddition Reactions of Donor–Acceptor Cyclopropanes

The development of aryl vinyl/divinyl donor–acceptor cyclopropanes (DACs) as novel Nazarov cyclization (NC) precursors is described. The 1,3-zwitterion, generated from DACs embedded in the divinyl framework, acts as a pentadienyl cation, a requisite for Nazarov cyclization. A cyclic allyl cation in the course of NC was trapped with external nucleophiles to provide an interrupted NC product. Indeed, an allyl cation in this reaction is analogous to a 1,4-zwitterion that on reaction with dipolarophiles provided an easy access to substituted pyrans with excellent yield and diastereoselectivity via NC followed by a formal [4 + 2] cycloaddition