Cycloaddition reactions of allyliron complexes: synthesis of cyclopentanoid derivatives such as (±)-sarkomycin

Abstract

A cycloaddition reaction between dimethyl 2-cyanofumarate and (σ-3-methoxyallyl)(η⁵-cyclopentadineyl)dicarbonyliron has yielded a cyclopentanoid derivative which has been used in a synthesis of sarkomycin; a precursor to brefeldin A has also been prepared from the same intermediate.