A new synthetic method for functionalized cyclopentanones was
developed on the basis of a [3+2]
cycloaddition reaction of a 1-(methylthio)-2-siloxyallyl cationic
species and olefins. Allyl acetates 1a and
1b,
which are the precursors of the allyl cationic species, are easily
prepared in three or four steps from commercially
available compounds. Under the influence of EtAlCl2 or
AlCl3, 1a or 1b reacted with various
kinds of olefins
such as enol ethers, vinyl sulfides, styrenes, and trialkylolefins to
afford the corresponding cyclopentanones in
good yields. It is noteworthy that the sterically more hindered
regioisomer was predominantly formed in
every case. Furthermore, the reactions of 1b with vinyl
sulfides exhibited surprisingly high stereoselectivity,
which can be rationalized by the six-membered transition state models
involving an orbital interaction between
the sulfur atom of the vinyl sulfide and the α-carbon of the allyl
cation.