Iron-catalyzed intramolecular cyclotrimerization of triynes to annulated benzenes

An iron species derived from FeCl2 or FeCl3 by in situ reduction with zinc powder in the presence of imidazol-2-ylidene or bidentate nitrogen ligand could effectively catalyze intramolecular cycloisomerization of triynes to annulated benzenes. With a 2-iminomethylpyridine ligand, hydrates of FeCl2 and FeCl3 as well as their anhydrous ones could be used.