Rhodium-catalyzed linear cross-trimerization of two different alkynes with an alkene and two different alkenes with an alkyne

Crossing paths with rhodium: A cationic Rh(I)/H(8)-BINAP complex has been found to catalyze the linear cross-trimerization of terminal alkynes, acetylenedicarboxylates, and acrylamides to give substituted trienes. The asymmetric linear cross-trimerization, giving substituted chiral dienes, has also been achieved by using monosubstituted alkenes and (R)-BINAP instead of terminal alkynes and H(8)-BINAP (see scheme; H(8)-BINAP = 2,2'-bis(diphenylphosphino)-5,5',6,6',7,7',8,8'-octahydro-1,1'-binaphthyl; BINAP = 2,2'-bis(diphenylphosphino)-1,1'-binaphthyl]).