Palladium-Catalyzed Intermolecular [4+1] Spiroannulation by C(sp3)-H Activation and Naphthol Dearomatization

A novel palladium-catalyzed [4+1] spiroannulation was developed by using a C(sp(3))-H activation/naphthol dearomatization approach. This bimolecular domino reaction of two aryl halides was realized through a sequence of cyclometallation-facilitated C(sp(3))-H activation, biaryl cross-coupling, and naphthol dearomatization, thus rendering the rapid assembly of a new class of spirocyclic molecules in good yields with broad functional-group tolerance. Preliminary mechanistic studies indicate that C-H cleavage is likely involved in the rate-determining step, and a five-membered palladacycle was identified as the key intermediate for the intermolecular coupling.