Regioselective rhodium-catalyzed intermolecular [2+2+2] cycloaddition of alkynes and isocyanates to form pyridones

A highly regioselective rhodium-catalyzed intermolecular 2+2+2] cycloaddition of terminal alkynes with a variety of isocyanates to provide 2- and 4-pyridones has been developed. This reaction proceeds in good to excellent yields and overcomes the problem of dimerization and trimerization through the use of phosphoramidite ligands. A CO migration in the metallacycle is proposed to account for the formation of 4-pyridone.