Microwave-Accelerated Competing Domino Processes: A Tether-Controlled Dual Pathway into High Molecular Complexity

Bicyclic unsaturated diols undergo a path selective modular domino transformation upon subjection to Pb(OAc)4, the reaction being biased to the nature of the angular substituent. The magnitude of the linking chain and the nature of the angular substituent determine the reaction course. Methylene ether linkage acts as an autoremovable directing group (ring-retained domino product 5), whereas a propylene linkage switches the path toward the ring-expanded type 21 domino product. Reaction times were substantially reduced using microwave irradiation.