HNTf2-Catalyzed Synthesis of Hydrodibenzofurans by an Epoxidation/Semipinacol Rearrangement Cascade

Described here is a highly efficient synthesis of hydrodibenzofurans, an important structural unit lacking general access, in particular, with contiguous quaternary stereocenters. In the presence of HNTf2 as the superior catalyst and mCPBA as an oxidant, the readily available styrene substrates underwent a one-pot cascade process comprising epoxidation, semipinacol rearrangement, and hemiketal formation to furnish hydrodibenzofurans with good efficiency and diastereoselectivity.