A highly regio- and stereoselctive
palladium-catalyzed domino reaction of functionalized aryl allyl ethers
has been developed. Various aryl allyl ethers derived from the phosphine-catalyzed
addition of electron-deficient allenes with phenol are found to be
efficient substrates for the synthesis of 2-substituted 2,3-dihydrobenzofurans
and indolines. It is the first example of aryl allyl ether used as
an ideal and practical precursor of hard to get functionalized 1,3-butadiene
for the heterocyclic compound synthesis.