Reaction of tricarbonyl[(1-4-η)-2-methoxy-5-vinylidene-cyclohexa-1,3-diene]iron derivatives with carbene: (2+1) cycloaddition for the rapid synthesis of spiro[2,5]octane

Tricarbonyl[(1-4-η)-2-methoxy-5-methylene-cyclohexa-1,3-diene]iron () and tricarbonyl[(1-4-η)-2-methoxy-5-isopropylene-cyclohexa-1,3-diene]iron () complexes are unstable 4-vinylidene cyclohexanone equivalents and these react regio- and stereoselectively with carbenes and metallocarbenes to give spiro[2,5]octane ring system. The (2+1) cycloaddition reaction provides a rapid entry into spiro[2,5]octane ring system. In cases where the carbene and metallocarbene contain a good bulky leaving group or an electron-withdrawing group, the cyclopropane ring-opening products are obtained.