Gallium(III)-Promoted Halocyclizations of 1,6-Diynes.

Cyclization of 1,6-diynes promoted by stoichiometric Ga(III) halides produces vinyl halides in good to excellent yields. Under acidic conditions, initially formed iodocyclization products undergo in situ Friedel-Crafts cyclizations, giving access to iodoindenopyridines. Application of the vinyl halides in cross-coupling reactions has been explored, and mechanistic aspects of the cyclization are discussed.