Formal meta-specific intramolecular Friedel–Crafts allylic alkylation of phenols through a spirocyclization–dienone–phenol rearrangement cascade

Formal meta-specific intramolecular Friedel–Crafts allylic alkylation of phenols was achieved based on spirocyclization–dienone–phenol rearrangement cascades. Systematic screening of acid catalysts revealed that Sc(OTf)3 was a highly effective catalyst for dienone–phenol rearrangement of spiro[4.5]cyclohexadienones. Using 5 mol % of Sc(OTf)3 as the promoter, various spirocyclic substrates were transformed into the corresponding phenol derivatives in good to excellent yield. Furthermore, the one-pot sequential spirocyclization–dienone–phenol rearrangement proceeded using a palladium and scandium multi-catalytic system or a triphenylmethyl cation single-catalyst system, providing the corresponding meta-allylated phenol derivatives in excellent yield.