Highly Enantioselective Cobalt-Catalyzed (3+2) Cycloadditions of Alkynylidenecyclopropanes

Low-valent cobalt complexes equipped with chiral ligands can efficiently promote highly enantioselective (3+2) cycloadditions of alkyne-tethered alkylidenecyclopropanes. The annulation allows to assemble bicyclic systems containing five-membered rings in good yields and with excellent enantiomeric ratios. We also present a mechanistic discussion based on experimental and computational data, which support the involvement of Co-I/Co-III catalytic cycles.

Automated summary

This study demonstrates that low-valent cobalt complexes equipped with chiral ligands can efficiently promote highly enantioselective (3+2) cycloadditions, resulting in good yields and excellent enantiomeric ratios. A mechanistic discussion based on experimental and computational data suggests the involvement of Co-I/Co-III catalytic cycles in this process.