Abstract

Recent advances in the metal-catalyzed hydrofunctionalization of alkynes with carboxylic acids are comprehensively reviewed. Both inter- and intramolecular processes, leading respectively to enol esters and lactones, are discussed, as well as the involvement of these transformations in the synthesis of natural products and biologically active molecules, and the assembly of elaborated heterocyclic compounds through cascade processes. Literature published since 2011 is covered.

Keywords: Enol esters, lactones, alkynes, hydro-oxycarbonylation reactions, cycloisomerization reactions, metal-catalyzed transformations.

Graphical Abstract