Acyl cyanides as carbonyl heterodienophiles: Application to the synthesis off naphthols, isoquinolones, and isocoumarins

Article abstract of DOI:10.1139/v96-024

Irradiation of 2-methylbenzoyl cyanide (3a) in acetonitrile solution results in the formation of its dimer, which upon loss of HCN gives rise to the cycloadduct 7a. The dimerization also proceeds efficiently with derivatives of 3a giving adducts 7b and 7c