Molecular Complexity via C–H Activation: A Dehydrogenative Diels–Alder Reaction

Traditionally, C–H oxidation reactions install oxidized functionality onto a preformed molecular skeleton, resulting in a local molecular change. The use of C–H activation chemistry to construct complex molecular scaffolds is a new area with tremendous potential in synthesis. We report a Pd(II)/bis-sulfoxide-catalyzed dehydrogenative Diels–Alder reaction that converts simple terminal olefins into complex cycloadducts in a single operation.