Regioselective rhodium-catalyzed allylic alkylation/ring-closing metathesis approach to carbocycles

Treatment of the allylic carbonates 1a–c with the sodium anion of the α-substituted malonates (n=0–2) and Wilkinsonʹs catalyst modified with a triorganophosphite, furnished the allylic alkylation products 2/3a–i in 83–97% yield, favoring 2a–i. The dienes 2a–i were then subjected to ring-closing metathesis using either I or II, to afford the carbocycles 4a–i in 79–99% yield.