Rhodium-catalyzed intramolecular alkynylsilylation of alkynes.

Rhodium-catalyzed intramolecular alkynylsilylation of alkynes is described. The reaction proceeds through syn-insertion by a cationic rhodium/triarylphosphine catalyst, representing the first alkynylsilylation of alkynes via the cleavage of a C(sp)-Si bond by transition-metal catalysis. A highly enantioselective variant is also described for the creation of a silicon stereogenic center.