Publications > Tostado et al
Synthesis of Seven- and Eight-Membered Rings by a Brønsted Acid Catalyzed Cationic Carbocyclization of Biphenyl Embedded Enynes.
Universidad de Alcalá (IRYCIS). Departamento de Química Orgánica y Química Inorgánica, Instituto de Investigación Química "Andrés M. del Río" (IQAR), Autovía A-II, Km 33.1, 28805-Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain.
A Brønsted acid catalyzed cyclization of o-alkenyl-o'-alkynylbiaryls for the synthesis of biologically relevant dibenzo-fused medium-sized rings has been developed. The outcome of the cyclization is determined by the nature of the substituent at the alkyne, with arenes favoring seven-membered rings and alkyl substituents producing eight-membered rings. These reactions proceed via a vinyl cation, which is captured by water and, notably, by C-nucleophiles, such as electron-rich (hetero)arenes.