Synthesis of Highly Substituted Biaryls by the Construction of a Benzene Ring via In Situ Formed Acetals.

Herein, we present an interesting method for the construction of a benzene ring using propargylic alcohols and 1,3-dicarbonyls, which involves three new C-C bond formations via cascade alkylation, formylation, annulation, and aromatization to make substituted biaryls. This one-pot Brønsted acid-promoted protocol utilizes the unique reactivity of the acetal formed under the reaction conditions. Alkynyl methyl ketones could be employed instead of 1,3-dicarbonyls as they are converted to 1,3-dicarbonyls by hydration under the reaction conditions.