Synfacts 2011(7): 0738-0738  
DOI: 10.1055/s-0030-1260643
Metal-Catalyzed Asymmetric Synthesis and Stereoselective Reactions
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart ˙ New York

Asymmetric Reductive Coupling of Cyclic Enones and Alkynes towards Cyclic Ketones

Contributor(s): Mark Lautens, Hasnain A. Malik
C.-H. Wei, S. Mannathan, C.-H. Cheng*
National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
17 June 2011 (online)

Significance

The authors disclose a cobalt-­catalyzed asymmetric reductive coupling of cyclic enones and alkynes to afford β-substituted cyclic ketones with moderate to good yields and generally good enantioselectivities. It is shown that five-, six-, and seven-membered enones all undergo reductive couplings with internal aromatic alkynes. The authors propose a possible reaction mechanism.