Synthesis of 1,3-Cycloalkadienes from Cycloalkenes: Unprecedented Reactivity of Oxoammonium Salts.

Few methods allow for the direct conversion of cycloalkenes into cycloalkadienes with high chemo- and regioselectivity. Herein, we report a convenient one-pot process for this transformation that involves the unprecedented N-preferential group transfer of N-oxoammonium salts to cycloalkenes, followed by Cope elimination, to afford cycloalkadienes at room temperature and pressure.