One-pot synthesis of substituted benzene via intermolecular [2+2+2] cycloaddition catalyzed by air-stable Ru(ii)-complex

Abstract

Intermolecular [2+2+2] cycloaddition reaction employing an air-stable ruthenium perchloro-cyclobutenonyl complex as a catalyst is reported. A series of internal alkynes were incorporated with dimethyl acetylene-dicarboxylate in a ratio of 1:2 to give various substituted benzenes in high yield and high chemoselectivity.