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Updated: May 8, 2026

Synthesis of Hypervalent Iodonium Alkynyl Triflates for the Application of Generating Cyanocarbenes
Published on: September 8, 2013
Silver-catalysed intramolecular hydroamination of alkynes with trichloroacetimidates
Valerie H L Wong1, T S Andy Hor, King Kuok Mimi Hii
1Department of Chemistry, Imperial College London, Exhibition Road, South Kensington, London SW7 2AZ, UK. mimi.hii@imperial.ac.uk.
Abstract:
Silver(I) complexes catalyse the intramolecular addition of trichloroacetimidates to alkynes. In the absence of a ligand, the selectivity of the reaction is dependent upon the nature of the counter-anion and solvent. The introduction of non-chelating nitrogeneous ligands suppresses competitive Brønsted acid catalysis, improving the yield and selectivity of the reaction.
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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.
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