Asymmetric synthesis of tricyclic 6,5,5-fused polycycles by the desymmetric Pauson–Khand reaction

A new rhodium(I)–BINAP-catalyzed enantioselective desymmetric Pauson–Khand (PK) reaction of prochiral 1,6-enynes with CO has been developed. Diverse tricyclic 6,5,5-fused bowl type polycycles were synthesized in one step with a single diastereomer.