Carboannulation Reactions ofCyclohexenone Derivatives: Synthesis of Functionalized α-Tetralones

The base-mediated cyclocondensation reactions of 3-(ethoxycarbonylmethylene)- and 3-(cyanomethylene)cyclohexen-ones with ethoxymethylenemalonate derivatives lead to two functionalized α-tetralones with selectivities which depend on the stoichiometric ratio of the reactants. α-Tetralones are selectively obtained when excess Michael acceptor is used.