A Practical and General Diels–Alder Reaction of Pentafulvenes with Arynes

Abstract

A high-yielding, versatile and practical Diels-Alder reaction of pentafulvenes with arynes under mild reaction conditions is reported. The aryne generated by the fluoride induced 1,2-elimination of 2-(trimethylsilyl)aryl triflates undergoes efficient cycloaddition with 6-substituted and 6,6-disubstituted pentafulvenes leading to the formation of benzonorbornadiene derivatives.