Isobenzofuran-Aryne Cycloadducts: Formation and Regioselective Conversion to Anthrones and Substituted Polycyclic Aromatics

Article abstract of DOI:10.1021/jo00358a007

Several substituted anthracenes, benzanthracenes, dibenzanthracene, and more complex ring system derivatives are formed by the cycloaddition of 1,3-bis(trimethylsilyl)isobenzofuran (2) with arynes generated by LTMP-induced dehydrohalogenation of readily accessible haloaromatics.The cycloadducts undergo a novel acid-induced conversion to anthracenones.For several substrates this reaction is highly regioselective, allowing position specific introduction of another substituent at this stage.Reduction/dehydration of the anthrones provides an expeditious route to various polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.