Transition Metal‐Catalyzed Annulation Reactions, VII. Palladium‐Catalyzed CH Activation at Methoxy Groups: Regiochemistry of the Domino Coupling Process

By palladium catalysis substituted ortho‐iodoanisoles (5, 8, 10, 13) are transformed either to annulated pyran (6) or furan derivatives (7, 9, 11, 14, 15), depending on the reactivity of additional substituents. The regiochemistry of the domino coupling processes is analyzed and a mechanistic rationale developed. Key step is the CH activation at methoxy groups.