Heteroatom as a Promotor: Synthesis of Polyfunctionalized Benzenes and Naphthalenes

Construction of a new benzene via the electrocyclization of diene–allene is an efficient protocol to access polysubstituted benzenes from simple, readily available starting materials. In this paper, we present a comprehensive study of a heteroatom-promoted propargyl–allenyl isomerization and electrocyclization for the facile and efficient synthesis of polyfunctionalized benzenes and naphthalenes. As a result of the readily accessible starting materials, simple operation, and mild conditions, this reaction should be an appealing strategy in organic synthesis.