Mechanistic and Preparative Aspects of Vinyl Cation Chemistry

Compelling evidence for the intermediacy of vinyl cations has accumulated in recent years. Vinyl cations can be generated by electrophilic additions to alkynes and allenes, and on participation of such functions in solvolysis reactions. Heterolysis of vinyl compounds likewise affords vinyl cations. Syntheses of substituted indenes, cyclobutanones, and cyclopropyl ketones illustrate preparative applications.