Remarkably Facile Hexatriene Electrocyclizations as a Route to Functionalized Cyclohexenones via Ring Expansion of Cyclobutenones

This Communication describes a cascade reaction sequence that leads to highly functionalized cyclohexenones starting from reaction of cyclobutenones with α-lithio-α,β-unsaturated sulfones and amides. The hexatriene−cyclohexadiene cyclization steps presumed to be involved in these transformations are among the most facile hexatriene electrocyclizations reported thus far.