Synthesis and Characterization of Multiple Functionalized Cyclohexanone Using Diels–Alder Reaction of α-Nitrocinnamate

A systematic study of the Diels–Alder reaction of α-nitrocinnamate was performed. The reaction of p-substituted α-nitrocinnamate with 2,3-dimethyl-1,3-butadienes smoothly proceeded regardless of the p-substituent, which was either an electron-donating or -withdrawing group. A control reaction revealed that α-nitrocinnamate isomerized during the reaction. Danishefsly’s diene (1-methoxy-3-trimethylsiloxy-1,3-butadiene) facilitated cycloaddition under mild conditions to afford a cycloadduct without the alternation of the diastereomeric ratio. Moreover, the desilylation of the cycloadduct furnished multiple functionalized cyclohexanones.