Leveraging the <i>Halo</i>-Nazarov Cyclization for the Chemodivergent Assembly of Functionalized Haloindenes and Indanones

In this report, we describe a halo-Prins/aryl halo-Nazarov cyclization strategy that employs readily available starting materials, inexpensive reagents, and convenient reaction procedures to generate functionalized haloindenes and indanones. The scope and limitations of the method are outlined, demonstrating that aromatic systems readily react under mild, catalytic conditions when this strategy is implemented. Furthermore, we present both experimental and computational data supporting the notion that cyclizations of 3-halopentadienyl cationic intermediates are more kinetically accessible, as well as more thermodynamically favorable, than cyclizations of the analogous 3-oxypentadienyl cationic systems. The energetic advantage imparted by the halo-Nazarov cyclization design was found to be especially valuable in the cyclizations of arylallyl cationic intermediates, which require disruption of aromaticity.