N-Heterocyclic Carbene Catalyzed Three-Component Reaction for the Synthesis of Multi-substituted Benzenes.

An N-heterocyclic carbene-catalyzed three-component reaction of ketone, acetylenedicarboxylate, and enal for the synthesis of multisubstituted benzenes has been developed. The key features of this reaction are mild reaction conditions and high efficiency and chemoselectivity. The corresponding pentasubstituted benzenes are obtained in good to high yields.