A transition-metal-free synthetic method of various ynones via decarboxylative alkynylation of α-keto acids is described. The reaction is carried out undermildconditions and exhibits remarkable tolerance of functional groups. The mechanism of a radical process is proposed in the reaction.
As an update of our continuous interest in the hydrogenation of hydrazones, a chemo‐ and enantioselectivehydrogenation of alkynyl‐aryl hydrazones was developed using a rhodium complex [Rh((R,Sp)‐JosiPhos)(cod)]SbF6 as the catalyst and benzoic acid as an additive. Directed by a p‐nitrobenzamido group, the chiral propargyl hydrazines, which can be easily converted to chiral propargylamines of significant