Utilizing the Pentadehydro-Diels–Alder Reaction for Polycyclic Aromatic Compound Synthesis: Diels–Alder-Based Linker Transformation

This study introduces a traceless linker strategy for pentadehydro-Diels-Alder (PDDA) cyclization, in which the sulfide/sulfone linker is strategically repurposed as a diene surrogate. As excellent electron-donating dienes, these linkers react with electron-deficient alkenes and alkynes, resulting in a series of highly selective cyclization products. This cascade reaction efficiently integrates the PDDA reaction with linker transformation, formally eliminating the need for permanent structural constraints. By exploiting the intrinsic reactivity of the linker, this strategy offers a robust and versatile approach to constructing complex polycyclic aromatic architectures, providing a powerful tool for organic synthesis.