Model Studies for the Preparation of Oxepanes and Fused Compounds by Tandem [4+3] Cycloaddition/Ring-Opening Metathesis/Cross Metathesis

Functionalised medium-sized ether rings were prepared in an efficient manner by [4+3] cycloaddition followed by ring-opening metathesis. This procedure provided medium-sized rings, which were shown to be useful for the assembly of fused bicyclic structures present in complex natural compounds. The potential of the chemistry described in this paper to be used in synthesis has been demonstrated by the preparation of functionalised large cyclic ethers and bicyclic structures.