“Phosphite–urea” cooperative high-turnover catalysts for the highly selective bromocyclization of homogeranylarenes

Abstract

Nucleophilic phosphite–urea cooperative high-turnover catalysts have been designed for the highly selective bromocyclization of homogeranylarenes. The introduction of a urea moiety and bulky aryl groups in the catalyst inhibits decomposition of the catalyst and the generation of byproducts. Only 0.5 mol% of the catalyst successfully promotes the bromocyclization of 4-homogeranyltoluene to give the desired product in 96% yield.