Alkyne metathesis: toward simplicity and efficiency

No catalyst pre-activation, no suicide alkyne, and no additive is required in an extremely simple procedure for the metathesis of alkyl-, alkenyl-, and aryl-propynes: just mix MO(CO)6, p-chlorophenol, and the alkyne in 1,2-dichloroethane, heat at 85 degrees C for 9-24 h, and the symmetrical alkyne is produced in ca. 95%, yield. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.