Novel Z-selective head-to-head dimerization of terminal alkynes catalyzed by lanthanide half-metallocene complexes

Catalytic dimerization of terminal alkynes is an atom economic and straightforward method for the synthesis of conjugated enynes, which are important building blocks for organic synthesis and significant components in various biological active compounds. A novel organolanthanide catalyst system for the region- and stereoselective head-to-head (Z)-dimerization of terminal alkynes is reported.