Abstract A concise approach to access functionalized benzocyclobutenones from 3- halophenol derivatives is described. This modified synthesis employs a [2+ 2] cycloaddition between benzynes generated from dehydrohalogenation of aryl halides using LiTMP and acetaldehyde enolate generated from n-BuLi and THF, followed by oxidation of the benzocyclobutenol intermediates to provide benzocyclobutenones. The [2+ 2] reaction ...