Hydroarylation of acetylenes, acrylates, and isocyanates with heteroaromatic compounds under rhenium catalysis

With the aid of a directing group, an imine moiety, heteroaromatic compounds add to acetylenes in the presence of a catalytic amount of [ReBr(CO)3(THF)]2 at the adjacent position of the directing group regioselectively to give hydroarylation of the acetylenes in good to excellent yields. Similarly, heteroaromatic compounds react with acrylates and isocyanates to give the corresponding hydroarylation products under rhenium catalysis.