meta-Cyclophane synthesis is often restricted to unstrained systems owing to unfavourable energetic constraints. Now the preparation of strained analogues is shown via sequential aryne insertion into cyclic sulfoxides and an anionic [4,5]-sigmatropic rearrangement. This strategy enables the use of meta-cyclophane-based aryne precursors and the orthogonal assembly of double cyclophanes.
- Min Tan
- Yongsheng Shen
- Yang Li
