Rhodium-catalyzed arylative cyclization of alkynyl malonates by 1,4-rhodium(i) migration

The synthesis of functionalized 1-tetralones by the rhodium(i)-catalyzed reaction of alkynyl malonates with arylboronic acids is described. These arylative cyclizations proceed via an alkenyl-to-aryl 1,4-Rh(i) migration as a key step. Preliminary results of an enantioselective variant of these reactions are also presented.