Synthesis of 2-Aryl Acetophenones via Hydrobromination and Oxy-isomerization of (o-Arylethynyl)benzyl Alcohols

Hydrobromination and oxy-isomerization of (o-arylethynyl)benzyl alcohols to yield brominated aryl ketones were achieved with bromotrimethylsilane. The substrate scope suggested that vinyl carbocations, stabilized by the conjugated aryl groups, are the reaction intermediates. 1H-Isochromene was also detected by 1H NMR, and an isolated 1H-isochromene was converted to the product when retreated with TMSBr. The formation of 1H-isochromene is equivalent to a 6-endo-dig cyclization and contrasts with the corresponding reactions under basic conditions, in which the 5-exo-dig process dominated.