Highly efficient, facile, room temperature intermolecular [5 + 2] cycloadditions catalyzed by cationic rhodium(I): one step to cycloheptenes and their libraries.

A cationic rhodium(I) complex--(C(10)H(8))Rh(cod) SbF(6)(-)--catalyzes the remarkably efficient intermolecular [5 + 2] cycloaddition of vinylcyclopropanes (VCPs) and various alkynes, providing cycloheptene cycloadducts in excellent yields in minutes at room temperature. The efficacy and selectivity of this catalyst are also shown in a novel diversification strategy, affording a cycloadduct library in one step from nine commercially available components.