Stereoselective alkynylallylic substitution reactions are underexplored compared with propargylic and allylic substitutions. Now, a copper-catalysed intermolecular and decarboxylative alkynylallylic amination, alkoxylation and alkylation strategy has been developed for the synthesis of chiral 1,4-enynes. Mechanistic studies suggest that the formation of a dinuclear copper allenylidene is the rate-limiting step.
- Jiang-Shan Ma
- Han-Yu Lu
- Zhi-Tao He