Rhodium-Catalyzed Chemo-, Regio-, and Enantioselective [2 + 2 + 2] Cycloaddition of Alkynes with Isocyanates

We have developed a cationic rhodium(I)/modified-BINAP complex-catalyzed chemoselective [2 + 2 + 2] cycloaddition of alkynes with isocyanates leading to a wide range of 2-pyridones. This method was successfully applied to the chemo-, regio-, and enantioselective synthesis of axially chiral 2-pyridones from unsymmetrical α,ω-diynes, bearing an ortho-substituted phenyl at one terminal position, and alkyl isocyanates.