Synthesis of Tenuifolin through Intramolecular Nicholas Reaction

Abstract

The synthesis of the Cinnamomum homosesquiterpenoid tenuifolin has been accomplished by way of an intramolecular Nicholas reaction of the [Co₂(CO)₆] complex of an alkyne-substituted biaryl for construction of the seven-membered ring. The cyclization features the reaction of a nonactivated arene ring with the propargyldicobalt cation to give the dibenzocycloheptyne-Co₂(CO)₆.

Key words

alkynes - total synthesis - carbocation - fused-ring systems - electrophilic aromatic substitution - transition metals

• References and Notes

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