Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 7, 2026

Facile Preparation of (2Z,4E)-Dienamides by the Olefination of Electron-deficient Alkenes with Allyl Acetate
Published on: June 21, 2017
Rhodium-catalyzed intermolecular chelation controlled alkene and alkyne hydroacylation: synthetic scope of
Michael C Willis1, Helen E Randell-Sly, Robert L Woodward
1Department of Chemistry, University of Bath, Bath BA2 7AY, UK. m.c.willis@bath.ac.uk
Abstract:
The use of beta-S-substituted aldehydes in rhodium-catalyzed intermolecular hydroacylation reactions is reported. Aldehydes substituted with either sulfide or thioacetal groups undergo efficient hydroacylation with a variety of electron-poor alkenes, such as enoates, in Stetter-like processes and with both electron-poor and neutral alkynes. In general, the reactions with electron-poor alkenes demonstrate good selectivity for the linear regioisomer, and the reactions with alkynes provide enone products with excellent selectivity for the E-isomers. The scope of the process was shown to be broad, tolerating a variety of substitution patterns and functional groups on both reaction components. A novel CN-directing effect was shown to be responsible for reversing the regioselectivity in a number of alkyne hydroacylation reactions. Catalyst loadings as low as 0.1 mol % were achievable.
Related Concept Videos
Alkynes to Aldehydes and Ketones: Hydroboration-Oxidation
One of the convenient methods for the preparation of aldehydes and ketones is via hydration of alkynes. Hydroboration-oxidation of alkynes is an indirect hydration reaction in which an alkyne is treated with borane followed by oxidation with alkaline peroxide to form an enol that rapidly converts into an aldehyde or a ketone. Terminal alkynes form aldehydes, whereas internal alkynes give ketones as the final product.
Reduction of Alkynes to cis-Alkenes: Catalytic Hydrogenation
Like alkenes, alkynes can be reduced to alkanes in the presence of transition metal catalysts such as Pt, Pd, or Ni. The reaction involves two sequential syn additions of hydrogen via a cis-alkene intermediate.
Reduction of Alkenes: Asymmetric Catalytic Hydrogenation
The metal catalyst used can be either heterogeneous or homogeneous. When hydrogenation of an alkene generates a chiral center, a pair of enantiomeric products is expected to form. However, an enantiomeric excess of one of the products can be facilitated using an enantioselective reaction or an...
Electrophilic Addition to Alkynes: Hydrohalogenation
Regioselectivity and Stereochemistry of Hydroboration
Hydroboration proceeds in a concerted fashion with the attack of borane on the π bond, giving a cyclic four-centered transition state. The –BH2 group is bonded to the less substituted carbon and –H to the more substituted carbon. The concerted nature requires the simultaneous addition of –H and –BH2 across the same face of the alkene giving syn stereochemistry.
Radical Anti-Markovnikov Addition to Alkenes: Overview

