Oxidative DMSO Cyclization Cascade to Bicyclic Hydroxyketonitriles

Thermolysis of ω-iodoalkyl-β-siloxyalkenenitriles in DMSO triggers an oxidative cyclization cascade that affords highly oxygenated hydrindanones, decalones, and undecanones. The cyclization cascade is highly unusual on three counts: the cyclization installs a contiguous array of tertiary–quaternary–tertiary centers, thermolysis equilibrates a quaternary center, and the enolsilyl ether crossed-aldol proceeds without a catalyst.