Rhodium-Catalyzed Asymmetric Annulation of Unactivated Alkynes with 3-(ortho-Boronated Aryl) Conjugated Enones: Enantioselective Synthesis of 2,3-Disubstituted Indenes

A rhodium-catalyzed tandem arylation/cyclization reaction of 3-(ortho-boronated aryl) conjugated enones with unactivated alkynes is reported. By using a rhodium(I)/chiral-diene complex as the catalyst, the protocol was processed smoothly to provide various 2,3-disubstituted indene compounds in high yields with excellent regioselectivities and enantioselectivities. The approach outlined herein is appealing, as simple diarylalkynes, diakylalkynes, and alkyl(aryl)alkynes are the starting materials.