Alkynylations of Oxiranes with Lithium Acetylides by the Catalysis of Trimethylgallium

Abstract

Abstract The reaction of 1-lithio-1-alkynes with oxiranes under the catalytic action of trimethylgallium afforded the corresponding β-hydroxy acetylenic compounds in good yields with excellent regioselectivities. No isomerization of oxiranes was observed during the reactions because of low Lewis acidity of trimethylgallium. The mechanism including activation of an oxirane by the coordination to trimethylgallium was proposed.