Synthesis of Multisubstituted Azatriphenylenes by Iridium-Catalyzed [2 + 2 + 2] Cycloaddition of Biaryl-Linked Diynes with Nitriles.

A convenient synthesis of multisubstituted azatriphenylenes is reported. [Ir(cod)Cl]2/diphosphine is an efficient catalyst for the [2 + 2 + 2] cycloaddition of biaryl-linked diynes with nitriles to give multisubstituted azatriphenylenes in high yields. Aromatic, heteroaromatic, aliphatic, and functionalized nitriles could be used for the reaction.