Synthesis of 2-Aryloxy-1,3-dienes from Phenols and Propargyl Carbonates

A convenient method for the synthesis of 1,3-dienes from readily available compounds is reported. 2-Aryoxy-1,3-dienes are produced stereoselectively by a nickel-catalyzed reaction of propargyl carbonates with phenols. Functional group tolerance is broad to allow iodo, formyl, and boryl groups. The resulting 1,3-dienes are of much synthetic value because they can participate in a wide variety of reactions, including the Diels–Alder reaction.