Replacing dichloroethane as a solvent for rhodium-catalysed intermolecular alkyne hydroacylation reactions: the utility of propylene carbonate

Propylene carbonate is an excellent solvent for rhodium-catalysed intermolecular alkyne hydroacylation reactions, allowing a variety of beta-S-aldehydes and alkynes to be combined in high yields, to deliver enone products. The effective use of propylene carbonate removes the need to employ dichloroethane as solvent.