Mitsunobu-type alkylation with active methine compounds

Intermolecular reaction of two active methine compounds with primary or secondary alcohols in the presence of new Mitsunobu-type reagents afforded alkylation products in excellent (with primary alcohols) to fair yields (with secondary alcohol) except one case. It demonstrates that the new reagents, especially cyanomethylenetrimethylphosphorane, are excellent mediators for this type of alkylation. The double alkylation of an active methylene compound with diols under similar conditions gave cyclization products in good to excellent yields. Copyright (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Ltd