A New Method for Constructing Quaternary Carbon Centres: Tandem Rhodium‐Catalysed 1,4‐Addition/Intramolecular Cyclisation

Abstract The efficient tandem rhodium‐catalysed 1,4‐addition/cyclisation of 1,1′‐alkenes using arylzinc chlorides is described. The simple one‐step synthesis of substituted cyclopentanone and cyclohexanone derivatives is performed from acyclic precursors using relatively low catalyst loadings under mild conditions. A new quaternary carbon centre is created during the cyclisation step.