Facile construction of benzofulvene frameworks via a palladium-catalysed three-component reaction.

Here we report a three-component reaction of 2-formylarylboronic acids, N -sulfonyl amines and 1,3-enynes, proceeding through a cascade imine formation/Pd ⁰ -catalysed vinylogous addition/intramolecular Suzuki coupling/isomerization process. This protocol exhibited broad substrate scope and good functionality tolerance, and a spectrum of multifunctionalised benzofulvene derivatives were furnished in moderate to good yields and E / Z -selectivity.