Synthesis of EnantiopureC3-Symmetric Triangular Molecules

An asymmetric synthesis of C3-symmetric triangular macrocycles is reported. 1-Methylsulfonyl-4-(4-vinylphenyl)-1,2,3-triazole undergoes a rhodium(II)-catalyzed cyclotrimerization to establish an enantiopure C3-symmetric triangular macrocycle motif. This method can be applied to the synthesis of an enantiopure hydrocarbon, which owes its chirality to asymmetric distribution of H/D atoms on the benzene rings.