Synthesis of Polycyclic Cyclohexadienone through Alkoxy-Oxylactonization and Dearomatization of 3'-Hydroxy-[1,1'-biphenyl]-2-carboxylic Acids Promoted by Hypervalent Iodine.

Alkox-oxylactonization and dearomatization of 3'-hydroxy-[1,1'-biphenyl]-2-carboxylic acid simultaneously promoted by hypervalent iodine have been developed using stoichiometric PhI(OAc)2 or a catalytic amount of chiral aryl-λ3-iodane generated in situ. This reaction provides a concise method to synthesize diverse polycyclic cyclohexadienones as potential inhibitors of DNA polymerase under mild reaction conditions.