Tetrahydrothiophene-catalyzed synthesis of benzo[n.1.0] bicycloalkanes

The development of a catalytic intramolecular cyclopropanation for the preparation of benzobicyclic compounds with [n.1.0] units is reported. The reactions of compounds afford versatile benzo[n.1.0]bicycloalkanes with excellent stereoselectivity in moderate to good isolated yields in the presence of 20 mol % of tetrahydrothiophene.