An efficient method for the selective construction of aliphatic polycycles through
platinum-catalyzed cyclization of 2-(enynyl)cycloalkenals has been developed by considering
electronic (ligand) and structural (olefinic tether) effect. The presence or absence
of ligand and the length of olefinic tether determine the course of the reaction after
the formation of platinum–carbene complex, so that four types of aliphatic polycycles
can be formed selectively.
Key words
cyclization - homogeneous catalysis - platinum - carbenes - carbocycles