o-Silylaryl Triflates: A Journey of Kobayashi Aryne Precursors

Arynes are among the most active organic intermediates and have found numerous applications in expeditious preparation of substituted arenes. In the past 20 years, chemists have witnessed a resurgence in aryne chemistry, which is mainly attributed by the extensive utilization of Kobayashi's method, a fluoride-induced removal of the TMS group with concomitant departure of its ortho OTf group on o-silylaryl triflates. Nowadays, o-silylaryl triflates are the most frequently employed aryne precursors. This review provides an overview of the history of Kobayashi's method, its methodological achievements, and its applications in the synthesis of natural products, bioactive molecules, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.