Formation of Substituted Benzocyclobutenes Starting from Donor–Acceptor Cyclopropanes

We describe an operationally simple, good-yielding, two-step cascade process to convert biscyclopropanes 1 into high-value benzocyclobutene building blocks 3. This study highlights the novel reactivity of our “in-house” donor–acceptor cyclopropane, achieving complete diastereoselectivity and regioselectivity transfer.