A Rh-catalyzed 1,3-acyloxy migration of propargyl ester followed by intramolecular [4+2] cycloaddition of vinylallene and unactivated alkyne was developed. This tandem reaction provides access to bicyclic compounds containing a highly functionalized isotoluene or cyclohexenone structural motif, while only aromatic compounds were observed in related transition metal-catalyzed cycloadditions.
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