Gold catalyzed carbocyclization of phenyl substituted allylic acetates to synthesize benzocycle derivatives

An efficient and environmentally benign method was developed to synthesize the benzocycles from phenyl substituted allylic acetates through gold catalyzed Friedel-Crafts type carbocyclization reaction. Different substitution patterns were investigated, which gave a series of benzocyclohexane derivatives in moderate to excellent yields.

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