Synthesis of Cyclohexanones through a Catalytic Cationic Cyclization of Alkynols or Enynes

A novel procedure for the synthesis of cyclohexanones from alkynol or enyne derivatives through a cationic cyclization has been developed. The key points to obtain the six-membered ring derivatives are the use of starting materials containing a terminal alkyne, the use of tetrafluoroboric acid as a promoter of the cationic cyclization, and the appropriate selection of 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoropropan-2-ol (HFIP) as solvent. This strategy can be extended to the biomimetic cationic cyclization of several terpene-derived polyenynes.