LAUSR

Abstract A new method for the synthesis of benzocycloalkene derivatives is described, through the palladium-catalyzed one-pot two-step reactions of benzocyclic ketones, tosylhydrazide with aryl bromides. Palladium-carbene complex as an important intermediate undergoes migratory insertion to form benzylpalladium complex, followed by a fast β-hydride elimination to give substituted benzocycloalkenes. The advantages of this reaction include readily available starting materials, broad substrate scope, high efficiency, and gram scale synthesis.