An efficient protocol has been reported for alkyne hydroacylation using a catalytic system incorporating Co(acac)3, dppp and AlMe3 at 160 °C. The reaction proceeds through oxidative cyclization/β-H elimination to afford a series of α,β-unsaturated ketones. The present protocol features no need for chelating groups, the use of inexpensive and bench-stable precatalysts, and wide substrate scope.
