Acceleration effect of allylic hydroxy group on ring-closing enyne metathesis of terminal alkynes: scope and application to the synthesis of isofagomine

An interesting allylic substituent effect on ring-closing enyne metathesis has been found. An allylic hydroxy group on enyne substrates accelerates ring-closing enyne metathesis of terminal alkynes. The reaction proceeds smoothly without ethylene atmosphere and/or more reactive newer generation Ru-carbene catalysts, which are generally necessary to promote the reaction. This efficient reaction was applied to the synthesis of isofagomine.