Aromatic [5,5]-rearrangement can in principle be an ideal protocol to access dearomative compounds. However, the lack of competent [5,5]-rearrangement impedes the advance of the protocol. In this Article, we showcase the power of [5,5]-rearrangement recently developed in our laboratory for constructing an intriguing dearomative sulfonium specie which features versatile and unique reactivities to perform nucleophilic 1,2- and 1,4-addition and cyclization, thus achieving dearomative di- and trifunctionalization of easily accessible aryl sulfoxides. Impressively, the dearomatization products can be readily converted to sulfur-removed cyclohexenones, naphthalenones, bicyclic cyclohexadienones, and multi-substituted benzenes. Mechanistic studies shed light on the key intermediates and the remarkable chemo-, regio- and stereoselectivities of the reactions.
© 2022. The Author(s).