Rhodium-Catalyzed Room Temperature C-C Activation of Cyclopropanol for One-Step Access to Diverse 1,6-Diketones

A rhodium-catalyzed room temperature C-C activation of cyclopropanol has been demonstrated for the single-step synthesis of a range of electronically and sterically distinct 1,6-diketones. This reaction proceeds efficiently in shorter reaction time following a highly atom-economical pathway. To illustrate the synthetic potential of 1,6-diketones, aldol and macrocyclization reactions have been successfully demonstrated. Preliminary mechanistic studies revealed the involvement of nonradical pathways.