Synlett 2011(7): 989-991  
DOI: 10.1055/s-0030-1259700
LETTER
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart ˙ New York

Synthesis of Dienol Ethers Using the Phosphine-Catalyzed Alkyne Isomerization Reaction

Michael Yunyi Fu, Jiawen Guo, Patrick H. Toy*
Department of Chemistry, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, P. R. of China
Fax: +85228571586; e-Mail: phtoy@hku.hk;
Further Information

Publication History

Received 8 November 2010
Publication Date:
08 March 2011 (online)

Abstract

A series of δ-alkoxy-substituted electron-deficient alkynes were isomerized to the corresponding dienol ethers using phosphine catalysis. Both Ph3P and a polymer-supported phosphine were found to be useful in this context. This methodology represents a general procedure for the synthesis of ‘push-pull’ δ-alkoxy dienones.

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General Reaction Procedure
To a solution of 1 (1.0 mmol) in toluene (1 mL) was added Ph3P or JJ-PPh3 (0.2 mmol). The reaction vial was then shaken at 80 ˚C for 18 h. At this time, the reaction mixture was either concentrated and purified by silica gel chromatog-
raphy (for Ph3P) or filtered and concentrated in vacuo (for JJ-PPh3). All products 3 were characterized by ¹H NMR and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy.