Tandem 1,4-addition reactions with benzene and alkylated benzenes promoted by pentaammineosmium(II)

Electrophiles such as dimethoxymethane and 3-penten-2-one react with the complex [Os(NH3)(5)(eta(2)-benzene)](2+) in the presence of triflic acid to form metastable benzenium intermediates. These benzenium intermediates further react with carbon nucleophiles including silyl ketene acetals, (silyloxy)alkenes, and phenyllithium in an overall tandem 1,4-addition sequence. The metal fragment controls the relative stereo- and regiochemistry for both electrophilic and nucleophilic addition steps. Upon oxidative demetalation with silver triflate, cis-1,4 cyclohexadienes are formed in yields ranging from 16 to 82%. This methodology can also be used to dearomatize toluene and ortho- and meta-xylene with unexpectedly high regio- and stereocontrol.