Oxygenated Cyclopentenones via the Pauson–Khand Reaction of Silyl Enol Ether Substrates

We report here the application of silyl enol ether moieties as efficient alkene coupling partners within cobalt-mediated intramolecular Pauson–Khand reactions. This cyclization strategy delivers synthetically valuable oxygenated cyclopentenone products in yields of ≤93% from both ketone- and aldehyde-derived silyl enol ethers, incorporates both terminal and internal alkyne partners, and delivers a variety of decorated systems, including more complex tricyclic structures. Facile removal of the silyl protecting group reveals oxygenated sites for potential further elaboration.