Benzyne is a highly reactive species with broad synthetic potential.[1] Among various methods for generating this species through elimination of 1, 2-difunctionalized benzene precursors,[2] we have exploited 2-iodoaryl triflate (1) as an excellent benzyne precursor, which is immediately converted into benzyne even at À958C upon reaction with nBuLi (Scheme 1).[3] Two rapid consecutive processes are relevant:
