Enantioselective synthesis of chiral tripodal cage compounds by [2 + 2 + 2] cycloaddition of branched triynes.

Cyclotrimerization of triynes branched by a nitrogen atom of 2-aminophenol yielded planar-chiral tripodal cage compounds. When a cationic Rh-Me-DUPHOS catalyst was used, the cycloadducts were obtained in high yield and excellent ee, and a macrocyclic compound with a [15]cyclophane system was also obtained. This method can be further applied to the synthesis of a triarmed pyridinophane by the intramolecular reaction of a diyne-nitrile.