Arynes in green solvent: employing o-silylaryl triflates with propylene carbonate

Abstract

Arynes generated from o-silylaryl triflate precursors are shown to engage with a range of arynophiles in propylene carbonate solvent. Possessing similar physicochemical properties to acetonitrile, propylene carbonate is found to be an effective direct solvent replacement, affording similar yields and promoting increased reaction rates. This is the first time that arynes have been used in conjunction with green and sustainable cyclic carbonate solvents.