Palladium-Catalyzed Intramolecular ipso-Friedel—Crafts Allylic Alkylation of Phenols via Arylative Activation of Allenes.

A novel Pd-catalyzed Heck insertion to an allene followed by an intramolecular ipso-Friedel—Crafts allylic alkylation cascade is described to convert functionalized phenols (I) and (IV) to spiro[4.5]cyclohexadienones.