Intramolecular aryne-ene reaction: synthetic and mechanistic studies

Although the chemistry of arynes is well developed, some challenges still remain. The ene reaction of arynes has not gained widespread use in synthesis as a result of poor yields and selectivity. A general, high yielding and selective intramolecular aryne-ene reaction is described providing various benzofused carbo- and heterocycles. Mechanistic data is presented, and a rationale for the resulting stereochemistry is discussed.