Synthesis of 5-Alkoxycyclohex-2-enones by Ring-Closing Metathesis

Significance

The authors reported the synthesis of optically active 5-alkoxy-6-methylcyclohex-2-en-1-one derivatives. The synthesis of these compounds is a challenge because they are prone to undergo β-eliminations generating the corresponding phenols, under basic or acidic conditions. Because of the neutral conditions for ring-closing metathesis, 5-alkoxycyclohex-2-enone could be obtained without β-elimination.