Cationic Rh(I)/modified-BINAP-catalyzed reactions of carbonyl compounds with 1,6-diynes leading to dienones and ortho-functionalized aryl ketones.

We have determined that a cationic rhodium(I)/H8-BINAP complex catalyzes a [2 + 2 + 2] cycloaddition of both activated and unactivated carbonyl compounds with 1,6-diynes leading to dienones in high yields. On the other hand, unactivated aryl ketones react with 1,6-diynes in the presence of a cationic rhodium(I)/Segphos complex to give ortho-functionalized aryl ketones in high yields.

Enantioselective synthesis of C2 -symmetric spirobipyridine ligands through cationic Rh(I)/modified-BINAP- catalyzed double [2 + 2 + 2] cycloaddition.

[structure: see text]. Enantioenriched C2-symmetric spirobipyridine ligands were efficiently synthesized through a cationic rhodium(I)/(R)-Segphos or (R)-H8-BINAP complex-catalyzed enantioselective intramolecular double [2 + 2 + 2] cycloaddition of bis-diynenitriles.

Rhodium-catalyzed [2+2+2] cycloaddition of 1,6-diynes with isothiocyanates and carbon disulfide.

A neutral rhodium(I)/BINAP complex effectively catalyzed a [2+2+2] cycloaddition of 1,6-diynes with isothiocyanates to give bicyclic thiopyranimines in 59-98% isolated yield. The reaction with carbon disulfide also proceeded to give bicyclic dithiopyrones in 74-85% isolated yield.

Rhodium-catalyzed chemo-, regio-, and enantioselective [2 + 2 + 2] cycloaddition of alkynes with isocyanates.

[reaction: see text] We have developed a cationic rhodium(I)/modified-BINAP complex-catalyzed chemoselective [2 + 2 + 2] cycloaddition of alkynes with isocyanates leading to a wide range of 2-pyridones. This method was successfully applied to the chemo-, regio-, and enantioselective synthesis of axially chiral 2-pyridones from unsymmetrical alpha,omega-diynes, bearing an ortho-substituted phenyl at one terminal position, and alkyl isocyanates.

Chemo- and regioselective intermolecular cyclotrimerization of terminal alkynes catalyzed by cationic rhodium(I)/modified BINAP complexes: application to one-step synthesis of paracyclophanes.

A highly regioselective intermolecular cyclotrimerization of terminal alkynes has been developed based on the use of the cationic rhodium(I)/DTBM-Segphos complex. This method can be applied to a variety of terminal alkynes to provide 1,2,4-trisubstituted benzenes in high yield and with high regioselectivity. A chemo- and regioselective intermolecular crossed-cyclotrimerization of dialkyl acetylenedicarboxylates with a variety of terminal alkynes has also been developed based on the use of the cationic rhodium(I)/H8-BINAP complex, furnishing 3,6-disubstituted phthalates in high yields. It constitutes a highly efficient new method for intermolecular crossed-cyclotrimerization of two different monoynes in terms of catalytic activity, chemo- and regioselectivity, scope of substrates, and ease of operation. The versatility of this new crossed-alkyne cyclotrimerization procedure is demonstrated through its application to one-step synthesis of a [6]metacyclophane and [7]-[12]paracyclophanes from the corresponding terminal alpha,omega-diynes. Mechanistic studies have revealed that the chemo- and regioselectivity of this crossed-alkyne cyclotrimerization are determined by the preferential formation of a specific rhodium metallacycle derived from a terminal alkyne and a dialkyl acetylenedicarboxylate.