Gold(I)-Catalyzed Tandem C−H and C−C Activation (Cleavage)

Abstract

(Cyclopropylidenecyclohexyl)benzene derivatives, a kind of methylenecyclopropane (MCP) containing a cyclohexyl group, can undergo an interesting tandem intramolecular C-H and C-C bond activation through dehydrogenated rearrangement in the presence of AuPPh(3)Cl/AgOTf by transferring three hydrogen atoms from cyclohexane to cyclopropane, affording the corresponding biaryl derivatives in moderate to good yields. The reaction mechanism has also been carefully investigated by deuterium labeling experiments and DFT calculations.