Chelation-assisted hydrative dimerization of 1-alkyne forming alpha,beta-enones by an Rh(I) catalyst.

The intermolecular hydrative dimerization of 1-alkyne was developed through the chelation-assisted catalytic system with Rh(I)/2-amino-3-picoline. This novel transformation afforded branched and linear alpha,beta-enones directly from two 1-alkyne molecules and H2O. The results demonstrate that a branch/linear ratio can be controlled by the alkyl substituent of 1-alkyne.