Palladium‐Catalyzed Intramolecular <i>ipso</i>‐Friedel–Crafts Alkylation of Phenols and Indoles: Rearomatization‐Assisted Oxidative Addition

Abstract

Inspiroation: A novel synthesis of spirocycles based on a palladium-catalyzed intramolecular ipso-Friedel–Crafts alkylation of phenols (see scheme; dba=dibenzylideneacetone) and indoles is described. Mechanistic studies show that the reaction proceeds through an unprecedented rearomatization-assisted oxidative addition.