Chemoselective Cobalt(I)-Catalyzed Cyclotrimerization of (Un)Symmetrical 1,3-Butadiynes for the Synthesis of 1,2,4-Regioisomers.

The cobalt(I)-catalyzed cyclotrimerization of (un)symmetrical 1,4-disubstituted 1,3-butadiynes is presented. In the case of unsymmetrical 1,3-butadiynes, this reaction can generate eight 1,2,4-substituted and four 1,3,5-substituted isomers. A single 1,2,4-substituted isomer was formed in excellent yields (up to 99%) and exclusive regioselectivities (>99:1) when symmetrical or a 1,3-butadiyne with an aryl or alkyl substituent and a trimethylsilyl group were applied. A large number of products accepting a wide variety of functional groups were synthesized.