Triynes, tandem cycloadditions

In previous works this group had observed a competition between the PKR and a [2 + 2 + 2] cyclization in the second reaction step of three triple bonds. Thus, when reacting linear triynes 174 under catalytic, high CO pressure, cobalt mediated PKR conditions, they obtained mixtures of products 175 coming from two [2 + 2 + 1] cycloadditions, and 176 from a [2 + 2 + 1]/ [2 + 2 + 2] tandem reaction. When the triple bonds were ether linked, the latter was the favored reaction, while with substrates lacking oxygen atoms, the iterative PKRs was the major pathway (Scheme 51) [166]. When the reaction was performed intramolecularly between a diyne and an alkyne, the only reaction products were the result of a [2 + 2 + 1 ]/[2 + 2 + 2] tandem cycloaddition [167,168]. 

Several groups have developed the combination two or more PKR or PK-type reactions in the same reaction step. The multiplication of the synthetic power of this transformation has found immediate application for the synthesis of natural [S.5.5.5] systems called fenestranes. Starting materials have been enediynes that give two [2 + 2 + 1] cycloadditions. The extension of the reaction to triynes has led to interesting tandem processes that may include [2 + 2 + 2] cyclizations. Other cycloadditions like the Diels-Alder have also been combined with the PK. 

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