The mechanism of intramolecular ‘citran’ bicyclisation of chromens: stereochemistry of a forward (H+ catalysed) and a related reverse (thermal) process
Abstract
Stereochemical evidence suggests that acid-catalysed citran formation proceeds via electrocyclisation of a dienone; pyrolysis of ‘farnesylidenemalonic acid’ proceeds with retention of configuration at the newly formed 8-olefin bond, indicating the operation of a retro-Diels–Alder process.