Preparation of functionalized metacyclophanes by intramolecular benzannulation of bisenynes

We have synthesized a series of novel metacyclophanes by the intramolecular benzannulation of bisenynes in the presence of tetrakis(triphenylphosphine)palladium(0). The usefulness of this synthetic method was demonstrated by the preparation of polyoxometacyclophanes, which we prepared from oligoethylene glycols.