Highly convenient regioselective synthesis of functionalized arylated benzene from ketene-S,S-acetal under mild conditions at room temperature

A general, highly efficient synthesis of arylated benzenes from simple stitching of α-oxo-ketene-S,S-acetals and functionalized deoxybenzoins via a ‘lactone intermediate’ is described. This procedure offers easy access to highly functionalized arylated benzenes containing sterically demanding groups in good to excellent yields. The advantage of the procedure lies in the fabrication of arylated benzenes with desired conformational flexibility along the molecular axis at room temperature and in a transition metal-free environment through easily accessible precursors.