Copper-catalyzed intramolecular aryl-bicyclization of diynes with diaryliodonium salts via vinyl cations.

A novel protocol for the synthesis of polycyclic compounds from linear diynes and diaryliodonium salts has been realized. The reaction proceeded through Cu-catalyzed arylation of alkynes to generate two vinyl carbocation intermediates that subsequently reacted with arene groups to form fused rings containing diene moieties.