α-β unsaturated ketones can be used as starting materials to form highly substituted cyclohexene compounds, which have various applications ranging from antimicrobials and pain relievers, to preservatives. The goal of this research is to develop innovative synthetic methods for these compounds using inexpensive and readily available materials. In our work, we have demonstrated that 3-penten-2-one can be successfully used as a reactant to form a highly substituted cyclohexene compound. As such, we are investigating the synthesis of similar cyclohexene compounds using <i>trans</i>-methyl crotonate and mesityl oxide as reactants. The progress of our work will be discussed in detail.

Synthetic investigation of Diels Alder reactions with α-β unsaturated ketones

249th National Meeting (2015)

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