Asymmetric Reductive Coupling of Cyclic Enones and Alkynes towards Cyclic Ketones

Significance

The authors disclose a cobalt-­catalyzed asymmetric reductive coupling of cyclic enones and alkynes to afford β-substituted cyclic ketones with moderate to good yields and generally good enantioselectivities. It is shown that five-, six-, and seven-membered enones all undergo reductive couplings with internal aromatic alkynes. The authors propose a possible reaction mechanism.