Synthesis of fused polycyclic aromatics by palladium-catalyzed annulation of arynes using 2-halobiaryls

The Pd-catalyzed annulation of arynes by 2-halobiaryls and related vinylic halides provides a very efficient, high yielding synthesis of polycyclic aromatic and heteroaromatic hydrocarbons. This process appears to involve the catalytic, stepwise coupling of two very reactive substrates, an aryne and an organopalladium species, to generate excellent yields of cross-coupled products.