title: Functionalized cyclobutenes via multicomponent thermal [2 + 2] cycloaddition reactions.
abstract: [reaction: see text] Enamine [2 + 2] cycloadditions can be achieved in useful yields simply by stirring a mixture of an aldehyde, diethylamine, a dialkyl fumarate, and potassium carbonate in acetonitrile at 25 degrees C, conditions that are compatible with the presence of a potential leaving group on the beta-position of the intermediate enamine. Methylation and elimination of the product cyclobutanes completes a mild nonphotochemical route to functionalized cyclobutenes.
authors.affiliation: School of Chemistry, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, UK.
authors.forename: Helen M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Sheldrake
authors.forename: Timothy W
authors.initials: TW
authors.lastname: Wallace
authors.forename: Craig P
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Wilson