Intercepting Wacker intermediates with arenes: C-H functionalization and dearomatization.

An intramolecular cyclization cascade reaction has been developed utilizing a high valent palladium intermediate that generates a carbon-carbon and carbon-oxygen bond in a single transformation. This method provides rapid access to highly functionalized tricyclic scaffolds, including spirocyclic cyclohexadienones. Good yields and mild conditions are reported with high tolerance toward oxygen and water.