Catalytic C–C Cleavage/Alkyne–Carbonyl Metathesis Sequence of Cyclobutanones

A ring-opening/alkyne–carbonyl metathesis sequence of alkyne-tethered cyclobutanones catalyzed by AgSbF6 is realized for the first time to furnish multisubstituted naphthyl ketones under mild conditions. A range of substrates decorated with various substituents at different positions were all well accommodated. Preliminary mechanistic studies show that silver salt acted as a Lewis acid to facilitate both C–C cleavage of the cyclobutanone moiety and the subsequent metathesis between CO and CC bonds.