Catalyst-controlled divergent C-H functionalization of unsymmetrical 2-aryl cyclic 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds with alkynes and alkenes.

Achieving site-selective, switchable C-H functionalizations of substrates that contain several different types of reactive C-H bonds is an attractive objective to enable the generation of different products from the same starting materials. Herein, we demonstrate the divergent C-H functionalization of unsymmetrical 2-aryl cyclic 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds that contain two distinct, nonadjacent sites for initial C-H functionalization, where product selectivity is achieved through catalyst control. By use of a palladium-N-heterocyclic carbene complex as the precatalyst, these substrates undergo oxidative annulation with alkynes to provide spiroindenes exclusively. In contrast, a ruthenium-based catalyst system gives benzopyrans as the major products. Examples of divergent, oxidative C-H alkenylations of the same substrates are also provided.