Tunable Cascade Reactions of Alkynols with Alkynes under Combined Sc(OTf)3 and Rhodium Catalysis

Two tunable cascade reactions of alkynols and alkynes have been developed by combining Sc(OTf)(3) and rhodium catalysis. In the absence of H2O, an endo-cycloisomerization/ C-H activation cascade reaction provided 2,3-dihydronaphtho[1,2-b] furans in good to high yields. In the presence of H2O, the product of alkynol hydration underwent an addition/C-H activation cascade reaction with an alkyne, which led to the formation of 4,5-dihydro-3 H-spiro[furan-2,1'-isochromene] derivatives in good yields under mild reaction conditions. Mechanistic studies of the cascade reactions indicated that the rate-determining step involves C-H bond cleavage and that the hydration of the alkynol plays a key role in switching between the two reaction pathways.