Oxidative coupling of terminal alkyne with α-hydroxy ketone: an expedient approach toward ynediones

An efficient and mild copper-catalyzed one-pot approach toward ynediones has been established. A variety of ynediones were constructed directly through oxidative coupling of alkyne with α-hydroxy ketone. Oxygen-oxidizing and neutral conditions in one-pot for a wide range of substrates including natural product derivatives make this transformation highly efficient and practical. On the basis of control experiments, in situ IR measurements, and isotopic labeling experiments, a plausible mechanism involving intermediate phenylglyoxal was drawn. Applications by synthesis of various heterocycles were also investigated.