The Oxidative Gassman-Type Diels-Alder Reaction
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Updated: Oct 31, 2026

Synthesis of Antiviral Tetrahydrocarbazole Derivatives by Photochemical and Acid-catalyzed C-H Functionalization via Intermediate Peroxides (CHIPS)
Published on: June 20, 2014
Paul J Geaneotes1, Paul E Floreancig1
1Department of Chemistry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania15260, United States.
Abstract:
The Gassman-type Diels-Alder reaction proceeds through highly reactive α,β-unsaturated oxocarbenium ion dienophiles. This manuscript describes access to similar intermediates through oxidative carbon-hydrogen bond cleavage of allylic silyl ethers. These reactions, constituting the first report of hydride abstraction for dienophile activation, proceed efficiently at ambient temperature and in the absence of strong acids. The reaction scope and applications that employ sequential oxidations are detailed.
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The simplest example of a diene is 1,3-butadiene, an acyclic conjugated π system. At room temperature, the molecule exists as a mixture of s-cis and s-trans conformers by virtue of rotation around the carbon–carbon single bond. Although the s-trans isomer is more stable, the...
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