Synthesis of Conjugated Linear and Cyclic Polyynes by Selective Alkyne Metathesis

J Julien Escudero (Univ Rennes, École Nationale Supérieure de Chimie de Rennes Rennes France) J Jonathan Long (The Crop Science Centre, Department of Plant Sciences, University of Cambridge) D Dylan Bouëtard (Univ Rennes, École Nationale Supérieure de Chimie de Rennes Rennes France) J Jennifer Morvan (Univ Rennes, École Nationale Supérieure de Chimie de Rennes, CNRS, ISCR UMR 6226) M Mehdi Koohgard (Institut Für Anorganische und Analytische Chemie Technische Universität Braunschweig Braunschweig Germany) A Angelika Neitzel (Institut Für Anorganische und Analytische Chemie Technische Universität Braunschweig Braunschweig Germany) D Dirk Bockfeld (Institut Für Anorganische und Analytische Chemie Technische Universität Braunschweig Braunschweig Germany) S Shedrack Nwachukwu (Department of Chemistry University of Alberta Edmonton Alberta Canada) T Thierry Roisnel (Universite de Rennes) R Rik R. Tykwinski (Department of Chemistry, University of Alberta, 11227 Saskatchewan Drive, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2G2, Canada) M Matthias Tamm (Institut für Anorganische und Analytische Chemie, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Hagenring 30, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany) M Marc Mauduit (Universite de Rennes) Y Yann Trolez (Univ Rennes, École Nationale Supérieure de Chimie de Rennes Rennes France)

Abstract

ABSTRACT The formation of polyynes with an odd number of conjugated triple bonds is synthetically demanding, particularly for complex architectures, since most established methods rely on irreversible C–C bond‐forming reactions and operate under kinetic control. To address this problem, we have developed the synthesis of triynes via molybdenum‐catalyzed alkyne metathesis of diynes, which allows thermodynamic control through reversible cleavage and formation of carbon–carbon triple bonds. We demonstrate the potential of this method through the synthesis of challenging, more complex products, including triyne precursors to [7]cumulenes, a pentayne, a heptayne, and dehydrobenzannulene macrocycles containing triynes. The key to the success of the proposed methodology is achieving a balance between the selectivity and reactivity of the molybdenum catalyst with the diyne precursors.

Article Details

Volume / Issue Vol. 65, Issue 17
Published April 20, 2026
ISSN 1433-7851
Publisher Wiley

Journal Info

Angewandte Chemie International Edition

Wiley

ISSN: 1433-7851 Physical Sciences

Authors (13)

J

Julien Escudero

Univ Rennes, École Nationale Supérieure de Chimie de Rennes Rennes France

J

Jonathan Long

The Crop Science Centre, Department of Plant Sciences, University of Cambridge

D

Dylan Bouëtard

Univ Rennes, École Nationale Supérieure de Chimie de Rennes Rennes France

J

Jennifer Morvan

Univ Rennes, École Nationale Supérieure de Chimie de Rennes, CNRS, ISCR UMR 6226

M

Mehdi Koohgard

Institut Für Anorganische und Analytische Chemie Technische Universität Braunschweig Braunschweig Germany

A

Angelika Neitzel

Institut Für Anorganische und Analytische Chemie Technische Universität Braunschweig Braunschweig Germany

D

Dirk Bockfeld

Institut Für Anorganische und Analytische Chemie Technische Universität Braunschweig Braunschweig Germany

S

Shedrack Nwachukwu

Department of Chemistry University of Alberta Edmonton Alberta Canada

T

Thierry Roisnel

Universite de Rennes

R

Rik R. Tykwinski

Department of Chemistry, University of Alberta, 11227 Saskatchewan Drive, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2G2, Canada

M

Matthias Tamm

Institut für Anorganische und Analytische Chemie, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Hagenring 30, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany

M

Marc Mauduit

Universite de Rennes

Y

Yann Trolez

Univ Rennes, École Nationale Supérieure de Chimie de Rennes Rennes France