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Updated: May 2, 2026

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Catalytic Coupling between Unactivated Aliphatic C-H Bonds and Alkynes via a Metal-Hydride Pathway
Yan Xu1,2, Michael C Young2, Guangbin Dong1,2
1Department of Chemistry, University of Chicago , Chicago, Illinois 60637, United States.
Abstract:
We report a Rh(I)-catalyzed site-selective coupling between ketone β-C(sp3)-H bonds and aliphatic alkynes using an in situ-installed directing group. Upon hydrogenation or hydration, various β-alkylation or β-aldol products of the ketones are obtained with broad functional group tolerance. Mechanistic investigations support the involvement of a Rh-H intermediate through oxidative addition of Rh(I) into the β-C-H bonds. Thus, to the best of our knowledge, this transformation represents the first example of catalytic couplings between unsaturated hydrocarbons and unactivated aliphatic C-H bonds via a metal-hydride pathway.
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