A Pd-catalyzed formal [4 + 2] benzannulation of 1-ferrocenyl-2-bromobenzenes with diarylacetylenes has been developed, delivering various substituted naphtho-ferrocenes.

Abstract

A Pd-catalyzed formal [4 + 2] benzannulation of 1-ferrocenyl-2-bromobenzene with diarylacetylenes involving C─C coupling/C─H functionalization processes are developed, which provides a straightforward access to various substituted naphtho-ferrocenes. This methodology offers a novel and efficient approach to produce polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The preliminary investigation shows the chiral phosphine ligand N-Me-PC-Phos has great potential in the asymmetric synthesis of planar naphtho-ferrocene derivatives.