Copper-catalyzed strain-enabled reaction of bicyclobutanes with diazo compounds to synthesize penta-1,4-dienes

Abstract

Herein we report an interesting copper-catalyzed transformation of BCBs with diazo compounds. This reaction leads to the synthesis of substituted skipped penta-1,4-dienes in good to excellent yields with only one diastomer obtained, and the reaction can also be performed on a gram scale. The transformation is compatible with many different functional groups attached to the BCBs and the diazo compounds.