Rhodium-Catalyzed Dimerization of Arylacetylenes and Addition of Malonates to 1,3-Enynes.

An 8-quinolinolato rhodium catalyst was found to be effective for head-to-tail selective dimerization of arylacetylenes. Formation of substituted cyclopentene and allene derivatives via alkyne dimerization and subsequent addition of malonates was also catalyzed by the 8-quinolinolato rhodium catalyst in the presence of cesium fluoride. One-pot reaction using palladium-catalyzed alkyne dimerization in conjunction with rhodium-catalyzed addition of malonates was also possible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]