DDQ-Mediated Oxidative Radical Cycloisomerization of 1,5-Diynols: Regioselective Synthesis of Benzo[b]fluorenones under Metal-Free Conditions

A regio- and chemoselective oxidative cycloisomerization reaction of acyclic 1,5-diynols has been developed. The reaction proceeds under metal-free reaction conditions with high efficiency and broad functional group tolerance, which offers a general and straightforward access to benzo[b]fluorenones under metal-free conditions. The preliminary mechanistic studies revealed the possible involvement of a Meyer-Schuster rearrangement combined with an oxidative radical cyclization.