Synthesis of Siloles via Rhodium-Catalyzed Cyclization of Alkynes and Diynes with Hexamethyldisilane

A rhodium-catalyzed silylative cyclization of alkynes and 1,6-diynes with hexamethyldisilane is described. These reactions enable the synthesis of densely substituted silole derivatives through the use of a rhodium(I)-norborna-2,5-diene complex as a catalyst.