Bronsted Acid-Promoted Intramolecular Carbocyclization of Alkynals Leading to Cyclic Enones

TFA-promoted exo carbocyclizations of nonterminal 7-alkynals gave good to excellent yields of seven-membered cycloalkenones, a medium-sized functionalized ring present in natural products with relevant pharmacological properties. Nonterminal 5- and 6-alkynals also gave very good yields of the corresponding exo cyclopentenones and cyclohexenones. On the other hand, terminal 5-alkynals gave endo carbocyclizations to cyclohexenones. These carbocyclizations can be considered as tandem alkyne hydration/aldol condensation processes.