Synthesis of 3-alkyl spiro[4,5]trienones by copper-catalyzed oxidative ipso-annulation of activated alkynes with unactivated alkanes.

A Cu-catalyzed oxidative ipso-annulation of activated alkynes with unactivated alkanes for the synthesis of 3-alkyl spiro[4,5]trienones is described. This method allows the formation of two carbon–carbon bonds and one carbon–oxygen bond in a single reaction through a sequence of C–H oxidative coupling, ipso-carbocyclization and dearomatization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]