Studies on the Synthetic Usefulness of the Nitro Function. Part I. A Novel Cyclopentenone Ring Annelation

A novel cyclopentenone ring annelation reaction is described. The treatment of the nitro compound 13 with aqueous sodium hydroxide in the presence of a phase-transfer catalyst furnished 14a in one step. Similar treatment of 7 led to 8 , the reaction of which with t-BuOK afforded 9a without purification in high yield.