New entry to the Pauson–Khand reaction: trimethylgermyl group at the triple bond terminus as a latent functional group

The Pauson–Khand reaction of enynes possessing a trimethylgermyl group at the alkyne terminus afforded the corresponding bicyclo[3.3.0]octenone and bicyclo[4.3.0]nonenone skeletons in a stereoselective manner. The resulting trimethylgermyl group of the bicyclic compounds was then converted to the iodo group, which was used for further elaboration. Thus, the trimethylgermyl group at the triple bond terminus was shown to be a precursor for other appendages.