Iridium-catalyzed addition of aroyl chlorides and aliphatic acid chlorides to terminal alkynes

Article abstract of DOI:10.1021/ja209679c

Iridium complexes show high catalytic activity in intermolecular additions of acid chlorides to terminal alkynes to afford valuable (Z)-β-chloro- α,β-unsaturated ketones. Ligands in the catalytic system play a crucial role in this reaction. An N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) is an efficient ligand for the addition of aroyl chlorides, while dicyclohexyl(2-methylphenyl) phosphine (PCy₂(o-Tol)) is indispensable for the reaction of aliphatic acid chlorides. The addition reactions proceed regio- and stereoselectively with suppression of decarbonylation and β-hydrogen elimination, which have been two major intrinsic problems in transition-metal-catalyzed reactions. Stoichiometric reactions of active iridium catalysts with aroyl chlorides and aliphatic acid chlorides are carried out to gain insights into the reaction mechanisms.