A Formal [3 + 2] Alkene Addition to Benzhydrol Cations. A Practical and Mild Methodology for the Synthesis of Substituted 1‐Arylindanes and Related Compounds

Abstract

Abstract We report the single step synthesis of several 1‐arylindanes in good yield via a formal [3 + 2] atom cycloaddition. The success of this formal cycloaddition relies on the Lewis acid activation of a bibenzylic alcohol in the presence of an alkene. The cation generated from the alcohol can be trapped by the alkene to afford a new benzylic cation which can then undergoes cyclization leading to 1‐arylindanes with three stereogenic centres.