Regioselective synthesis of indenols via nickel-catalyzed carbocyclization reaction

2-Halophenyl ketones 1a-e (1a, o-IC(6)H(4)COCH(3)) undergo carbocyclization with alkyl propiolates (2a, CH(3)(CH(2))(4)Ctriple bond]CCO(2)CH(3); 2b, TMSCtriple bond]CCO(2)Et 2c, CH(3)Ctriple bond]CCO(2)CH(3); 2d, CH(3)OCH(2)Ctriple bond]CCO(2)CH(3); 2e, CH(3)(CH(2))(3)Ctriple bond]CCO(2)CH(3); 2f, PhCtriple bond]CCO(2)CH(3); and 2g, (CH(3))(3)Ctriple bond]CCO(2)CH(3)) in the presence of Ni(dppe)Br(2) and zinc powder in acetonitrile at 80 degrees C to afford the corresponding indenol derivatives 3a-m with remarkable regioselectivity in good to excellent yields. The nickel-catalyzed carbocyclization reaction was successfully extended to other simple disubstituted alkynes. Thus, the reaction of 2-halophenyl ketones 1a-e with disubstituted alkynes (2h, PhCtriple bond]CPh; 2i, CH(3)C(6)H(4)Ctriple bond]CC(6)H(4)CH(3); 2j, CH(3)CH(2)Ctriple bond]CCH(2)CH(3); 2k, PhCtriple bond]CCH(3); 2l, TMSCtriple bond]CCH(3); and 2m, PhCtriple bond]C(CH(2))(3)CH(3)) proceeded smoothly to afford the corresponding indenols 4a-t in good to excellent yields. For unsymmetrical alkynes 2k-m, the carbocyclization gave two regioisomers with regioselectivities ranging from 1:2 to 1:12 depending on the substituents on the alkyne and on the aromatic ring of halophenyl ketone. A possible mechanism for this nickel-catalyzed carbocyclization reaction is also proposed.