Rhodium-catalyzed asymmetric intramolecular hydroarylation of allenes: access to functionalized benzocycles.

A rhodium-catalyzed regio- and enantioselective cyclization of tethered allenylbenzenes is reported. Employing a RhI/Josiphos catalytic system a diverse set of 6-membered, α-chiral benzocycles were obtained, scaffolds found in many bioactive compounds. Moreover, a gram scale reaction as well as the application of suitable transformations are demonstrated.