InCl3 and ZrCl4 catalyzed regioselective reaction of 2,2′-dihydroxybiphenyl with terminal alkynes: synthesis of new dibenzo[d,f][1,3]dioxepines

The regioselective reaction of 2,2′-dihydroxybiphenyl with terminal alkynes was found to be rapidly catalyzed by InCl3 and ZrCl4. The chemoselectivity of catalysts and alkynes for biphenol over water, together with the reaction mechanism are discussed in details.