“…CuI first coordinates with Ln to afford the LnCu(I) complex A, [12] which further reacts with phenylacetylene 1a to afford the LnCu(I) complex B. [13] Then, the halide exchange between 2a and NaI proceed to form 2a', [14] and the LnCu(I) complex B undergoes oxidative addition reaction with the help of direct group carbonyl of 2a' to give alkynyl copper(III) C, [15] which subsequently experiences reductive elimination to produce D. Assisted by base and ligand, the keto-enol tautomerization of D is realized to afford intermediate E. [7,16] The subsequent 6-endo-dig cyclization is performed to give intermediate F. Finally, the intermediate F undergoes dehydration to deliver T A B L E 2 Substrate scope a a Reaction conditions unless stated otherwise: 1 (0.20 mmol, 1.0 equiv), 2 (0.40 mmol, 2.0 equiv), NaOH (0.40 mmol, 2.0 equiv), NaI (0.40 mmol, 2.0 equiv), CuI (10 mol%), and L6 (20 mol%) in solvent (1 mL) at 120 C under N 2 for 24 h. Isolated yields.…”