Nickel-catalyzed [3+2+2] cycloaddition of ethyl cyclopropylideneacetate and diynes. Synthesis of 7,6- and 7,5-fused bicyclic compounds

The [3+2+2] cycloaddition reaction of ethyl cyclopropylideneacetate (1) and diynes proceeded in the presence of Ni(0) catalysts, and bicyclic compounds were isolated in good yields. The reaction provided a new approach to 7,6- and 7,5-fused bicyclic compounds.