Metal π-Lewis base activation in palladium(0)-catalyzed trans-alkylative cyclization of alkynals

Abstract

The Pd(0)-mediated umpolung reaction of an alkyne to achieve trans-difunctionalization is a potential synthetic methodology, but its insightful activation mechanism of Pd(0)–alkyne interaction has yet to be established. Here, a Pd(0)–π-Lewis base activation mode is proposed and investigated by combining theoretical and experimental studies. In this activation mode, the Pd(0) coordinates to the alkyne group and enhances its nucleophilicity through π-back-donation, facilitating the nucleophilic attack on the aldehyde to generate a trans-Pd(II)–vinyl complex. Ligand-effect studies reveal that the more electron-donating one would accelerate the reaction, and the cyclization of the challenging flexible C- or O-tethered substrates has been realized. The origin of regioselectivities is also explicated by the newly proposed metal π-Lewis base activation mode.