Silver-catalyzed domino hydroarylation/cycloisomerization reactions of ortho-alkynylbenzaldehydes: an entry to functionalized isochromene derivatives.

A Ag-catalyzed versatile and efficient access to 1H,1-arylisochromenes is reported. Starting from ortho-alkynylbenzaldehydes bearing various substitution patterns on the benzaldehyde and alkynyl units, the use of silver triflate (10 mol %) allowed a domino hydroarylation/cycloisomerization reaction process, leading to aryl-functionalized 1H-isochromene (>10 compounds, 80-98% yields). Notably, the reaction conditions were also compatible with benzaldehydes bearing an aliphatic-substituted alkynyl moiety with modest to good yields (34-88%, 10 compounds).