Facile and controllable synthesis of multiply substituted benzenes via a formal [3+3] cycloaddition approach

A facile direct [3+3] approach for the conversion of alpha,beta-unsaturated carbonyls to multi-substituted benzenes using allylic phosphonium ylide reagents has been developed. The substituents and their positions on the benzene ring are controllable and predictable by the choice of an appropriate combination of alpha,beta-unsaturated carbonyl compounds and ylides. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.