Non-precious metals catalyze formal [4 + 2] cycloaddition reactions of 1,2-diazines and siloxyalkynes under ambient conditions.

Copper(I) and nickel(0) complexes catalyze the formal [4 + 2] cycloaddition reactions of 1,2-diazines and siloxyalkynes, a reaction hitherto best catalyzed by silver salts. These catalysts based on earth abundant metals are not only competent, but the copper catalyst, in particular, promotes cycloadditions of pyrido[2,3-d]pyridazine and pyrido[3,4-d]pyridazine, enabling a new synthesis of quinoline and isoquinoline derivatives, as well as the formal [2 + 2] cycloaddition reaction of cyclohexenone with a siloxyalkyne.