Table 1.

Optimization studies of the reaction between o-(trimethylsilyl)phenyl triflate (1a) and N-benzylidenebenzylamine N-oxide (2a) ^a

entry	benzyne (equiv)	CsF (equiv)	solvent	temp. (°C)	time (h)	% yield of 3ab
1	1.2	3.0	MeCN	rt	24	60
2	1.2	4.0	MeCN	rt	24	65
3	2.0	3.0	MeCN	rt	24	56
4	1.2	2.0 TBAFc	THF	rt	24	45
5	2.0	4.0 TBAFc	THF	45	24	92
6	1.2	3.0	THF	65	24	68
7	2.0	5.0	THF	65	14	93
8	1.6	4.0	THF	65	14	91
9	1.6	3.0	THF	65	24	83

^aAll reactions were conducted on a 0.25 mmol scale in 5 mL of solvent for 24 h.

^bYields of products isolated by column chromatography.

^c1M TBAF in THF solution.