Novel synthesis of [2.2.2](1,2,4)cyclophane

The synthesis of multibridged cyclophanes, a novel application of benzocyclobutenes as intermediates, is illustrated by the thermal bond reorganization of 1,2-bis(1,2-dihydrobenzocyclobuten-4-yl)ethane (3) to give [2.2.2](1,2,4)cyclophane (4).