Regio- and stereoselective cross-coupling of tert-propargyl alcohols with bis(trimethylsilyl)acetylene and its utilization in constructing a fluorescent donor-acceptor system.

1,1-Disubstituted 3-aryl-2-propyn-1-ols undergo regio- and stereoselective cross-coupling on treatment with bis(trimethylsilyl)acetylene in the presence of a rhodium catalyst via cleavage of C(sp)-C(sp3) and C(sp)-Si bonds to produce the corresponding 2-hydroxymethyl-(E)-enynes. The subsequent desilylative Sonogashira coupling followed by base-promoted cyclization affords fluorescent dihydrofuran derivatives.