Borylative cyclisation of diynes using BCl3 and borocations.

The borylative cyclisation of 1,2-dialkynyl benzenes with BCl3 leads to dibenzopentalenes (via intramolecular SEAr) or benzofulvenes (via chloride addition) depending on substituents, with stabilised vinyl cation intermediates (e.g. with a p-MeO-C6H4-group) favouring the latter. The use of borocations leads to more selective dibenzopentalene formation, while other diyne frameworks undergo intramolecular SEAr selectively even with p-MeO groups.