Direct transformation of esters into arenes with 1,5-bifunctional organomagnesium reagents.

A direct transformation of carboxylic acid esters into arenes with 1,5-bifunctional organomagnesium reagents is described. This efficient and practical method enables the one-step defunctionalization of various carboxylic acid esters to prepare benzene, anthracene, tetracene, and pentacene derivatives. A double nucleophilic addition of the 1,5-organodimagnesium reagent to the ester is followed by an immediate 1,4-elimination reaction that leads to the direct [5+1] formation of a new aromatic ring.