The Baylis–Hillman acetates in organic synthesis: development of a facile strategy for synthesis of functionalized unsaturated benzo-fused macrocyclic ethers and [n] metacyclophanes

A general synthetic protocol for obtaining functionalized unsaturated benzo-fused macrocyclic ethers and [n] metacyclophanes containing 13-, 14-, 15-, 16- and 20-membered rings has been developed using Baylis–Hillman (BH) acetates as starting materials and ring closing metathesis as a key step.