Direct Transition-Metal-Free Intramolecular Arylation of Phenols

Direct transition-metal-free, base-mediated intramolecular arylation of phenols with aryl halides has been developed. In the presence of 2.5 equiv of t-BuOK in dioxane at 140 degrees C, the intramolecular cyclization of 3-(2-halobenzyloxy)phenols affords 6H-benzo[c]chromenes in high yields. This reaction proceeds by an initial formation of a benzyne intermediate followed by an aromatic sp(2) C-H functionalization (a formal C-H activation) to form the carbon-carbon bond.