Iridium complex-catalyzed addition of water and alcohols to non-activated terminal alkynes

The addition of water and alcohols to non-activated terminal alkynes was found to be promoted by an iridium complex combined with Lewis acid and phosphite. Thus, terminal alkynes reacted with water or alcohols to give ketones or ketals, respectively, in good to excellent yields. α,ω-Diyne like 1,7-octadiyne was converted into 1-(2-methyl-cyclopent-1-enyl)ethanone through the intramoleculer aldol condensation of the resulting 2,7-octanedione induced by Lewis acid.