Novel Concepts in Directed Biaryl Synthesis, IX. Synthesis and Structure of Benzonaphthopyranones, Useful Bridged Model Precursors for Stereoselective Biaryl Syntheses

A practicable two-step procedure for the preparation of a series of lactone-type bridged biaryls 7 as favorable substrates for subsequent atropisomer-selective ring-opening reactions is described. Due to the efficiency of the coupling step, which tolerates even a tert-butyl group next to the biaryl axis and avoids problems of regioselectivity, a variety of differently substituted representatives is prepared. These cover a broad range of steric hindrance and thus molecular distortion. The structures are investigated mainly by NMR spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction, showing the lactones 7 to be helically distorted, depending on the size of the residues R.