Direct conversion from alkenes to alkynes.
basic_science · Level V
Where this comes from
- Record sourced from PubMed, PMID 41840033.
- Also identified by DOI 10.1038/s41586-026-10372-3.
- No licence information is recorded for this record.
- Because redistribution is not established, this page shows the abstract only. Follow the links below for the full text.
Abstract
Alkynes are widely used as feedstock chemicals and functional groups in organic chemistry<sup>1,2</sup>. However, although the hydrogenation from an alkyne to an alkene is well established, typical methods for the reverse reaction-conversion of an alkene to an alkyne-are based on elimination chemistry reported in the 1860s<sup>3</sup> and use forcing conditions (strong base or high temperatures)<sup>4-6</sup>. This precludes more general application on functional molecules. Here we report a recyclable selenanthrene reagent that mediates alkenes desaturation to alkynes under mild conditions. This method shows broad compatibility with both classical leaving groups and sensitive functional groups, enabling application late-stage in the efficient synthesis of complex alkynes. Moreover, this platform enables Z/E alkenes configuration inversion or sorting that are inaccessible with existing methods, highlighting its potential for diverse downstream derivatizations.