Controllable stereoselective synthesis of trisubstituted alkenes by a catalytic three-component reaction of terminal alkynes, benzylic alcohols, and simple arenes

Abstract

The acid-catalyzed three-component reaction of terminal alkynes, benzylic alcohols, and simple arenes provides convenient and atom-economic access to an array of both Z- and E-isomers of trisubstituted alkenes with excellent stereoselectivity by switching reaction temperature and acidic catalysts.