Facile Sc(OTf)₃-Catalyzed Generation and Successive Aromatization of Isobenzofuran from <i>o</i>-Dicarbonylbenzenes

Abstract

Isobenzofuran can be prepared from o-phthalaldehyde using hydrosilane. The formed isobenzofuran is trapped by an alkene via a Diels-Alder reaction. Further dehydration proceeds to furnish the conjugated aromatic compound. This multistep reaction was promoted by catalytic amounts of Sc(OTf)(3).