title: Regioselective C-H activation and sequential C-C and C-O bond formation reactions of aryl ketones promoted by an yttrium carbene.
abstract: Rare earth carbenes exclusively exhibit Wittig-type reactivity with carbonyl compounds to afford alkenes. Here, we report that yttrium carbenes can effect regioselective ortho-C-H activation and sequential C-C and C-O bond formation reactions of aryl ketones to give iso-benzofurans and hydroxymethylbenzophenones. With MeCOPh, cyclotetramerization occurs giving a substituted cyclohexene. This demonstrates new rare earth carbene reactivity which complements existing Wittig-type reactivity.
authors.affiliation: School of Chemistry, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK.
authors.forename: David P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Mills
authors.forename: Lyndsay
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Soutar
authors.forename: William
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Lewis
authors.forename: Alexander J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Blake
authors.forename: Stephen T
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Liddle