Bench-stable Nickel(II)–aryl Complex-Catalyzed cyclotrimerisation of diynes and alkynes to synthesis multisubstituted benzene derivatives

Herein, we report a (PPh3)2Ni(o-tolyl)Cl complex-catalyzed cyclotrimerisation reaction of diynes and alkynes to furnish multi-substituted benzene derivatives in moderate to excellent yields. This method features an air-stable catalyst, green reaction conditions, and excellent functional group tolerance. Additionally, this approach enables gram-scale synthesis, and the target product could also be further derivatised into important isoindolinone scaffolds. These demonstrate the potential application of this methodology.