Skeletal reorganization of enynes to 1-vinylcycloalkenes catalyzed by GaCl(3).

The skeletal reorganization of enynes is achieved by the presence of GaCl3 as the catalyst. This reaction demonstrates the first example of the skeletal reorganization of enynes catalyzed by typical metal complexes. The process is simple and provides a diverse range of enynes in good to high yields. The reaction of enynes bearing a monosubstituent at the terminal olefinic carbon proceeds in a stereospecific manner with respect to the geometry of the olefin moiety. Enynes, bearing two substituents at the olefinic terminal carbon, undergo an efficient skeletal reorganization, these substrates having been known to be unsuitable substrates for the skeletal reorganization of enynes.