2-Methyltetrahydrofuran as a Solvent of Choice for Spontaneous Metathesis/Isomerization Sequence

A new protocol for ring-closing metathesis/isomerization sequence was developed. The reactions of selected dienes were performed in overheated 2-methyltetrahydrofuran at 120 °C and provided a wide range of cyclic vinyl ethers and amides with good yields and selectivities. Computational analysis suggests that the relative yield of products depends on a thermodynamically driven process on the basis of relative stabilities of isomers.