Arynic condensations of both cyclic and acyclic a, P-unsaturated ketone enolates are studied. First, condensation of substituted cyclohexenone enolates with benzyne leads to a new class of cyclobutanic alcohols 6. Ring opening of 6 under basic conditions is described as a good means of synthesizing benzocyclooctadienones 10 and 19, and, in appropriate cases, benzocyclooctenediones of type 12. Thermal dehydration of 6 affords 1, 3- ...
