REACTIONS OF CARBONYL-COMPOUNDS WITH ALPHA,BETA-UNSATURATED COMPOUNDSAS A CONVENIENT ROUTE TO CARBOCYCLES AND HETEROCYCLES

The data on synthesis of carbo- and hetero-cyclic compounds by reactio ns of alpha,beta-unsaturated nitriles with carbonyl compounds and acti vated phenols are reviewed. These reactions are shown generally to pro ceed as nucleophilic addition of the intermediate carbanion formed fro m carbonyl compound to double bond of unsaturated nitriles (Michael re action) with subsequent transformation of intermediate Michael adduct. The basic pathways of transformation of these adducts to give target carbo- and heterocycles were discussed. The methods of regioselective control of cyclisation of Michael adducts giving 4H-pyrans or 1,4-dihy dropyridines by changing reaction conditions are shown. Bibliography - 249 references.