Palladium(II) acetate catalyzed tandem cycloisomerization and oxidation of arylvinylcyclopropenes using p-benzoquinone as oxidant and pro-nucleophile.

Catalyzed by Pd(II)/p-BQ, a tandem cycloisomerization and oxidation of arylvinylcyclopropenes took place smoothly to produce methyleneindene derivatives stereoselectively in moderate to excellent yields, affording an unusual example of solo addition by p-hydroquinone generated by oxidation of Pd(0) to Pd(II) along with the formation of a new C-O bond.