The (4+3) cycloaddition reaction between a conjugated diene and an allylic cation constitutes a convenient and conceptually straightforward method to prepare seven-membered rings. [1,2] In recent years, investigations into this type of cycloaddition, including a number of elegant applications in total synthesis, [3] have demonstrated its potential for development as a synthetic method that could approach the (4+2) cycloaddition (Diels-Alder) reactions in terms of selectivity and efficiency. Of particular interest are allylic cations bearing a cation-stabilizing substituent (Z group) at the 2-position [Eq. (1)] [4] and stabilized allylic cations such as vinyloxocarbenium ions [Eq. (2)] [5] or, typically, cationic reaction partners incorporating both of these features [Eq. (2), R = Z]. [6] Whereas reactions of vinyloxocarbenium species are believed to proceed by a concerted (4+2) cycloaddition followed by a Wagner-Meerwein-type ring expansion, [5] allylic cations with a Z group at the 2-position have been suggested to undergo "true" (4+3) cycloaddition reactions, either through a concerted or a stepwise process.[7] The synthetic utility of these cycloadditions is limited however by issues concerning the generation of the allylic cation reaction partner. The precursors required for allylic cations can be synthetically challenging, and the carbocationic species themselves are generally quite unstable, thus giving rise to various by-products.In the course of synthetic studies towards the natural product rameswaralide, [8] Pattenden and Winne uncovered an unexpected smooth intramolecular dehydrative reaction between a diene and a furfuryl alcohol that gave a novel fused polycycle containing a seven-membered ring [Eq. (3), TFA = trifluoroacetic acid].We surmised that the mechanism of this intriguing cycloaddition reaction involves the initial formation of a furfuryl cation intermediate, [9] which then undergoes an intramolecular (4+3)-type cycloaddition with the appended diene (cf. Scheme 1). The initially formed bicyclic oxocarbenium ion can then be converted into the observed product through straightforward loss of a proton and regeneration of the furan ring. The cationic reaction partner in this sequence can thus be regarded as an allylic cation with a stabilizing oxygen substituent at the 2-position [cf. Eq. (1)], and moreover, if the oxonium ion resonance structure is considered (Scheme 1, bottom), it can be viewed as a vinylogous vinyloxocarbenium ion [cf. Eq. (2)]. If it is concerted, the observed cycloaddition can then be regarded as a rare example of a "higher order" pericyclic reaction, that is, a [6p + 4p] cycloaddition with an unprecedented 2-oxafulvene-type 6p reactant. [10] As the prospect of an efficient (4+3) cycloaddition method using simple furfuryl alcohol starting materials is highly attractive from a synthetic point of view, we decided to investigate the scope and mechanism of this unprecedented Scheme 1. Proposed mechanism of cycloaddition via a furfuryl cation intermediate.