Pd-catalyzed alkyl to aryl migration and cyclization: an efficient synthesis of fused polycycles via multiple C-H activation.

A novel palladium migration methodology for the synthesis of complex fused polycycles has been developed. This process involves 1,4-palladium alkyl to aryl migrations via through-space C-H activation, followed by intramolecular arylation or an intermolecular Heck reaction providing a very efficient way to synthesize fused ring systems.