Lewis Acid-Catalyzed Remote Site-Selective Ring Deconstruction of Cyclobuteno[ a ]naphthalene-4-ones to Access Unsymmetric 1,1-Diarylated Olefins.

A catalytic site-selective ring deconstruction of cyclobuteno[ a ]naphthalene-4-ones with alcohols is reported, enabling the direct production of a wide range of unsymmetric 1,1-diarylated olefins with good yields and complete regioselectivity. The late-stage application of these resulting terminal olefins demonstrates great possibilities to apply this strategy to complex molecules. The protocol features good functional group compatibility, broad substrate scope, and controllable site selectivity.