Palladium-catalyzed Tandem Cyclodehydrogenation of <i>o</i>-Phenylenediyne-linked Bis(arenol)s to Produce Benzodifuran-containing Condensed Heteroaromatic Ring Systems

Abstract

Abstract o-Phenylenediyne-linked bis(arenol) derivatives underwent catalytic cyclodehydrogenation with Pd(OAc)2 and molecular oxygen in DMSO to produce benzodifuran-containing condensed heteroaromatic ring systems, via the formation of two C–O and one C–C bonds in a tandem fashion. Remarkably, the present cycloaromatization proceeded efficiently in the presence of aqueous NaOH and MS 3A to provide the desired heterocycles in moderate-to-high yields.