Valence isomers of aromatic compounds: on the mechanism of the Katz reaction

Abstract

Lithium salts of small and medium-sized aromatic anions react with methylene chloride and alkyllithium to afford bridged bicyclobutanes or related polycyclic compounds. We demonstrate that the three new carbon-carbon bonds formed in the course of these title reactions result from a tandem of carbenoid processes. Formation of exocyclic carbenoids precedes intramolecular cheletropic addition and ring enlargement. Neither H-migration nor CH-insertion is observed throughout these processes. Key intermediates have been generated by independent routes.</p