Alkyne Metathesis as a New Synthetic Tool: Ring-Closing, Ring-Opening, and Acyclic

Conceptually and mechanistically (!) the metathesis of disubstituted alkynes in the presence of molybdenum or tungsten catalysts (see scheme) is related to alkene metathesis. With skillful experimentation and careful selection of substrate, alkyne metathesis can result in both ring opening/ring closing and the formation of high molecular weight polymers.