Rapid Access to Oxabicyclo[2.2.2]octane Skeleton through Cu(I)‐Catalyzed Generation and Trapping of Vinyl‐o‐quinodimethanes (Vinyl‐o‐QDMs)

A Cu(I)‐catalyzed three‐component reaction of terminal enynals/enynones, diazo compounds, and alkenes has been developed. With this method, a series of oxabicyclo[2.2.2]octanes were effectively synthesized in high yields under mild reaction conditions. This transformation is proposed to proceed through trapping of the cyclic vinyl‐o‐quinodimethanes (vinyl‐o‐QDMs) species, which were generated from terminal enynals/enynones and diazo compounds by alkenes. Summary of main observation and conclusion A Cu(I)‐catalyzed three‐component reaction of terminal enynals/enynones, diazo compounds, and alkenes has been developed. With this method, a series of oxabicyclo[2.2.2]octanes were effectively synthesized in high yields under mild reaction conditions. This transformation is proposed to proceed through trapping of the cyclic vinyl‐o‐quinodimethanes (vinyl‐o‐QDMs) species, which were generated from terminal enynals/enynones and diazo compounds by alkenes. The obvious advantages of wide substrate scopes, mild reaction conditions, and high seteroselectivity and atom efficiency make this reaction highly appealing for construction of highly rigid [2.2.2]octane skeleton.