Photoinduced Intermolecular [4+2] Cycloaddition Reaction for Construction of Benzobicyclo[2.2.2]octane Skeletons.

A novel and efficient method for the synthesis of highly substituted benzobicyclo[2.2.2]octane skeletons has been explored. Under UV-light irradiation, o-divinylbenzenes underwent a pericyclic reaction to form the cyclic o-quinodimethane intermediates which were subsequently reacted with olefins through [4+2] addition to construct the benzobicyclo[2.2.2]octane skeletons in mild conditions. Gram scale reactions demonstrated the synthetic potential application of this protocol.