Enantioselective Synthesis of 1,1-Disubstituted Propynes

Significance

The authors recently reported on the ruthenium-catalyzed enantioselective propargylic substitution reaction with acetone (Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2005, 44, 7715). Herein they extend the methodology to an asymmetric Friedel-Crafts-type alkylation which affords 1,1-disubstituted unprotected propynes in moderate to good yield and good enantioselectivity.