Ruthenium‐Catalyzed C−C Coupling of Terminal Alkynes with Primary Alcohols or Aldehydes: α,β‐Acetylenic Ketones (Ynones) via Oxidative Alkynylation

The first metal‐catalyzed oxidative alkynylations of primary alcohols or aldehydes to form α,β‐acetylenic ketones (ynones) are described. Deuterium labelling studies corroborate a novel reaction mechanism in which alkyne hydroruthenation forms a transient vinylruthenium complex that deprotonates the terminal alkyne to form the active alkynylruthenium nucleophile. The first metal‐catalyzed oxidative alkynylations of primary alcohols or aldehydes to form α,β‐acetylenic ketones (ynones) are described. Deuterium labelling studies corroborate a novel reaction mechanism in which alkyne hydroruthenation forms a transient vinylruthenium complex that deprotonates the terminal alkyne to form the active alkynylruthenium nucleophile.