Aryl-Allene Cyclization via a Hg(OTf)2-Catalytic Pathway

Hg(OTf)(2)-catalyzed aryl-allene cyclization accompanied by formation of a quaternary carbon center has been realized. Deuterium-labeling experiments and computational modeling were used to propose a novel catalytic pathway involving direct H-transfer from the aromatic ring to the vinyl mercury moiety followed by mercury 1,2-migration.