Synthesis of fused polycycles from propargylic compounds with terminal alkynes via a palladium-catalyzed tandem C-H activation/biscyclization process

Org Lett. 2007 Dec 20;9(26):5425-8. doi: 10.1021/ol702311z. Epub 2007 Nov 22.

Abstract

Various benzo[b]fluorene and fluorene derivatives have been prepared from propargylic compounds with terminal alkynes through a novel palladium-catalyzed tandem biscyclization reaction. This reaction involved a sequence of carboannulation, coupling, C-H activation and C-C bond formation process. A plausible mechanism has been proposed that was consistent with the deuterium-labeling experiment.