A diversity oriented synthesis of highly functionalized unsymmetrical biaryls through carbanion induced ring transformation of 2H-pyran-2-ones

A new route for the synthesis of unsymmetrical biaryls endowed with electron withdrawing and donating substituents is delineated through base catalyzed ring transformation of 2H-pyran-2-ones with malononitrile in a single step. This procedure offers the flexibility of introducing desired functionalities in aromatic rings, which are difficult to obtain by other classical routes.