Intramolecular anodic olefin coupling reactions: Initial studies concerning the use of electron-rich aryl rings

Intramolecular anodic olefin coupling reactions involving electron-rich aryl rings were examined and shown to afford fused bicyclic products. When alkoxysubstituted phenyl rings were used, the reactions benefited from the use of either controlled potential electrolysis conditions or a vinyl sulfide initiating group. Coupling reactions involving heteroatomic aryl rings also led to good yields of cyclized product.