Described here are tandem photoelectrocyclization and [1,5]-hydride shift reactions of heteroaryl-containing bis-aryl cyclohexenone derivatives that give heteroaryl-substituted dihydrophenanthrenes. This Letter demonstrates that electrocyclization intermediates can be trapped with acid when… Click to show full abstract
Described here are tandem photoelectrocyclization and [1,5]-hydride shift reactions of heteroaryl-containing bis-aryl cyclohexenone derivatives that give heteroaryl-substituted dihydrophenanthrenes. This Letter demonstrates that electrocyclization intermediates can be trapped with acid when the [1,5]-hydride shift is relatively slow. From a practical perspective, the observation that the acid-mediated reaction gives a divergent stereochemical outcome when compared with the reaction run under neutral conditions makes these transformations powerful.
               
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