Highly Efficient, Facile, Room Temperature Intermolecular [5+2] Cycloadditions Catalyzed by Cationic Rhodium(I): One Step to Cycloheptenes and Their Libraries

A cationic rhodium(I) complex-[(C(10)H(8))Rh(cod)](+) SbF(6)(-)-Catalyzes the remarkably efficient intermolecular [5 + 2] cycloaddition of vinylcyclopropanes (VCPs) and various alkynes, providing cycloheptene cycloadducts in excellent yields in minutes at room temperature. The efficacy and selectivity of this catalyst are also shown in a novel diversification strategy, affording a cycloadduct library in one step from nine commercially available components.