Elimination of nitriles in retro-diene reactions
Abstract
The Diels–Alder reactions of the oxazoles (II; R = H or Me) and (III) with diphenylcyclopropenone and acetylenic dienophiles have been studied. In no case were the bicyclic adducts isolable, but ready elision of hydrogen cyanide or a nitrile occurred, giving a γ-pyrone (V) and furans as the major heterocyclic products.