Oxidative Electrocyclization of Diradicaloids: C-C Bonds for Free or How to Use Biradical Character for π-Extension

Abstract

Herein, we show that biradical character and appropriate distribution of spin density can be used for synthetic purposes. We demonstrate the rational domino annulation that includes dehydrative π-extension (DPEX) as the initiation step and subsequent oxidative electrocyclizations (EC) promoted by favorable localization of the unpaired electrons enabling up to four C-C bonds formed during the reaction. Contradicting to the Woodward-Hoffmann rules, the reaction proceeds at room temperature, whereas termination occurs when biradical character vanishes.