A controllable synthesis of homoallyl ketones and multiply substituted cyclopentadienes by direct insertion of aroyl cyanides to zirconacyclopentenes.

[reaction: see text] The direct reaction of aroyl cyanides with zirconacyclopentenes was achieved cleanly under controlled reaction conditions. This methodology provided an extremely efficient, one-pot, and high-yield route for the synthesis of homoallyl ketones when the reaction was carried out at -50 degrees C. Trapping of the zirconium intermediate by a variety of electrophiles afforded functionalized homoallyl ketones. Remarkably, the insertion reaction occurred with complete chemoselectivity, that means, the Zr-sp3 carbon bond reacted preferentially, which is different from Cu-mediated elaboration of zirconacycles. Surprisingly, when the reaction was done at room temperature, 1,2,3-trisubstituted cyclopentadiene derivatives were readily formed in high yields. The direct insertion reaction of zirconacyclopentanes with acyl cyanides was also described. When bicyclic zirconacyclopentanes were used, cyclopentanol derivatives were obtained with high stereoselectivity.