Efficient and ecofriendly synthetic methodologies have always constituted an important area of research in modern organic chemistry. Lewis superacid catalysis has contributed in the improvement of many synthetic processes. We have developed some cycloisomerization reactions including Friedel-Crafts type reaction, giving access to a set of interesting polycyclic structures with good yields and selectivities. The use of a catalytic amount of Bi(OTf)3 (1 to 10 mol%), has allowed the activation of olefins, non-activated allenes and of 1,3-dienic systems. This atom economy methodology can prevent the formation of by-products and the catalyst can be recycled without loss of activity. Intra- and intermolecular approaches, tandem and cascades reactions, as well as mechanistic studies were conducted to enable a better understanding of the reactivity and its limitations to reach a wider range of structures. The developed methodologies were applied to the field of flavors and fragrances in the synthesis of Calone 1951® analogues, and for the preparation of chromans, indanes and tetralins type functionalized structures, for a better understanding of the structure/odor relationship.
