Rh-catalysed [5 + 1] cycloaddition of allenylcyclopropanes and CO: reaction development and application to the formal synthesis of (−)-galanthamine

A Rh-catalysed [5 + 1] cycloaddition of allenylcyclopropanes and CO has been developed to synthesize functionalized 2-methylidene-3,4-cyclohexenones. The scope of this methodology has been investigated, showing that various functional groups can be tolerated. Both di- and tri-substituted allenylcyclopropanes can be applied to this cycloaddition and the [5 + 1] cycloadducts with the E configuration were obtained as the major products. In addition, the present [5 + 1] cycloaddition reaction has been utilized as a key step in the formal synthesis of the natural product (-)-galanthamine.