A Base-Mediated 6-exo -trig versus 6-exo -dig Carbocyclization Strategy for the Synthesis of Functionalized Biaryl Compounds

A base-mediated carbocyclization study has been performed between two allowed Baldwin cyclization modes (6-exo-trig and 6-exo-dig) and it was found that 6-exo-trig cyclization was preferred over 6-exo-dig. Allyl cyanide was found to be suitable and efficient pronucleophile for this investigation and two sp2–sp2 transition-metal-free C−C bond formations took place in a single operation to yield two differently functionalized biaryl compounds.