The first intermolecular interrupted imino-Nazarov reaction: expeditious access to carbocyclic nucleoside analogues

The analogous imino-variant of the Nazarov reaction suffers from unfavorable energetics associated with the ring closure process, thereby limiting the utility of this class of reactions. In this report, the realization of the first intermolecular interrupted imino-Nazarov reaction utilizing silylated pyrimidine derivatives as nucleophilic trapping partners culminated in an expedient synthetic route to carbocyclic nucleoside analogues. The potential application of silylated nucleobases to intercept the oxyallyl cation in other variants of the Nazarov reaction provides vast opportunities to develop new strategies for the formation of carbocyclic nucleoside analogues.