A systematic
theoretical study has been carried out with the aid
of density functional theory (DFT) calculations on the mechanism of
the Rh-catalyzed cycloisomerization of homopropargylallene-alkynes
through C(sp3)–C(sp) bond activation. The DFT results
indicate that the catalytic cycle is divided into four main processes
involving oxidative coupling, insertion, 1,3-alkyl migration, and
1,2-alkyl migration or 1,2-H migration. It is found that a Rh(I) Fischer
carbene intermediate, which is derived from the third process 1,3-alkyl
migration, selectively determines the formation of the six/five/five
tricycle Product 1 or the six/five/four tricycle Product 2, depending on the substitutes on the substrates.
The origin of cycloisomerization product selectivity has also been
addressed.