An investigation of the scope of the 1,7-electrocyclization of α,β:γ,δ-conjugated azomethine ylides

Substituents on the diene component have little influence on the periselectivity of the cyclizations of α,β:γ,δ-conjugated azomethine ylides, with 1,7-electrocyclizations predominating. In some cases, subtle changes to these substituents can, however, influence the product formed, through their effect on the relative energies of the transition states for the 1,5- (6π) and 1,7-electrocyclization (8π) processes. The most striking changes in periselectivity occur for phenylethenyl-substituted azomethine ylides 3d–f, which can give either a pyrroline 4d,f or dihydrobenzazepine 6e, depending upon the alkene configuration.