Regiodivergent Carbene/Alkyne Metathesis in Chromium-Mediated Coupling and Cyclization with 1,6-Enynes

Abstract
Regiodivergent carbene/alkyne metathesis for the selective synthesis of 2-alkylidenebicyclo[4.1.0]heptanes and 1-alkenylbicyclo[3.1.0]hexanes from common 1,6-enynes precursors was demonstrated. The cyclization mode could be switched by simple addition of diamine ligands to control the relative orientation of the approaching chromium Schrock carbene equivalents generated in situ from gem-dichromiomethanes toward triple bonds.