Phosphine-catalyzed domino reactions: a route to functionalized bicyclic skeletons.

A novel strategy that involves phosphine-catalyzed sequential [2+3] and [3+2] annulation reactions was developed. In this domino reaction, γ-substituted allenoates were used as novel C4 synthons, and the bicyclic cyclopenta[b]dihydrofuran derivatives were produced in good to excellent diastereoselectivities and yields under mild conditions. Furthermore, preliminary studies on an asymmetric variant of this reaction proceeded with moderate enantioselectivity.