A palladium-catalyzed tandem carbocyclization–Suzuki coupling is described leading
to the synthesis of trifluoromethyl-containing indenes in moderate to good yields.
The reactions take place in the presence of palladium(II) acetate, a phosphorus-containing
ligand [dicyclohexyl(2′,4′,6′-triisopropylbiphenyl-2-yl)phosphine] and potassium carbonate
in toluene as the solvent. The process occurs via intramolecular carbocyclization
and subsequent Suzuki coupling of the ortho-(2-chlorovinyl)-alkynylbenzenes with arylboronic acids.
Key words
indene - palladium - trifluoromethyl - carbocyclization - Suzuki coupling