The regiodivergent ring contraction of diastereomeric 2-silyl-5,6-dihydro-6-aryl-(2H)-pyrans via [1,2]- and [1,4]-Wittig rearrangements to the corresponding α-silylcyclopentenols or (α-cyclopropyl)acylsilanes favor the [1,4]-pathway by ortho and para directing groups in the aromatic appendage and/or by sterically demanding silyl groups. The [1,2]-pathway is dominant with meta directing or elect...

A stereodivergent synthesis of enantiopure 3,6-dihydro-2H-pyrans is presented. The addition of lithiated enol ethers to carbohydrate-derived nitrones afforded syn- or anti-configured hydroxylamine derivatives 4a-d that were cyclized under Lewis acidic conditions to yield functionalized dihydropyrans cis- or trans-5a-d containing an enol ether moiety. This functional group was employed for a var...

An efficient one-pot synthesis of functionalized 2-amino-4H-pyrans by a meglumine-catalyzed three-component reaction has been developed. A broad range of substrates including aromatic and heteroaromatic aldehydes, isatin derivatives, and acenaphthenequinone are condensed with enolizable C-H activated compounds and alkylmalonates to give the desired products in high to excellent yields. This met...

A simple and practical method for synthesis of the D-ring modified steroidal dienamides (4a-k) from the steroidal α,α-dicyanoalkene 3 and aldehydes via vinylogous aldol reaction was first reported. By using NaOAc as a base, the desired products were obtained in moderate to good yields in ethanol under mild conditions. All the synthesized steroidal dienamides are new and are currently being eval...