Metal-Free Oxidative C-C Bond Functionalization of Methylenecyclopropanes with Ethers Leading to 2-Substituted 3,4-Dihydronaphthalenes.

A novel metal-free oxidative ring-opening/cyclization of methylenecyclopropanes with ethers was established for the synthesis of diverse 2-substituted 3,4-dihydronaphthalenes with high selectivity and efficiency. This oxidative cyclization is achieved by C(sp3)-H functionalization, ring-opening, and cyclization, and this method represents a new example of methylenecyclopropane oxidative cyclization with an aromatic carbon and a C(sp3)-H bond by simultaneously forming two new carbon-carbon bonds.