Regioselective Synthesis of Indenols by Rhodium-Catalyzed CH Activation and Carbocyclization of Aryl Ketones and Alkynes

Ketones and alkynes join together: The catalytic title reaction proceeds rapidly at 120 °C and requires only 1 hour for completion (see scheme). The reaction mechanism likely involves chelation-assisted ortho CH activation, insertion of the alkyne moiety, carbocyclization, and protonation. Cp*=pentamethylcyclopentadienyl.

DOI: 10.1002/anie.201100229