The palladium-catalyzed homo-dimerization of terminal alkynes is a powerful and atom economic method for the preparation of highly unsaturated four carbon skeletons, which are key structural units found in natural and/or biologically active products and materials. In homo-dimerization of terminal alkynes, a major issue is the control of chemo-, regio-, and stereoselectivity. For this effort, over the past few decades, various strategies and methods have been developed in palladium catalytic systems. Herein, we highlight prominent methods for the selective synthesis of these valuable compounds including conjugate 1,3-enynes, 1,3-diynes, and 1,3-dienes.
1 Introduction
2 Redox-Neutral Homo-Dimerization of Terminal Alkynes to 1,3-Enynes
2.1 Head to Head Dimerization
2.2 Head to Tail Dimerization
3 Oxidative Homo-Dimerization of Terminal Alkynes to 1,3-Diynes
3.1 Unsupported Palladium Catalysts
3.1.1 Choice of Oxidant
3.1.2 Choice of Ligand
3.1.3 Choice of Solvent
3.2 Supported Palladium Catalysts
4 Reductive Homo-Dimerization of Terminal Alkynes to 1,3-Dienes
5 Conclusion