Copper-Catalyzed Cycloaddition/Coupling Cascades of Azomethine Imines with Alkynes for Divergent Synthesis of (<i>Z</i>)-Alkenyl and Alkynyl <i>N</i>,<i>N′</i>-Bicyclic Pyrazolidinones

Copper-catalyzed cycloaddition/coupling cascades utilizing azomethine imines and alkynes have been developed for the divergent synthesis of (<i>Z</i>)-alkenyl and alkynyl <i>N</i>,<i>N'</i>-bicyclic pyrazolidinones by varying the reaction conditions. The choice of inert or oxidative atmosphere plays a crucial role in determining the transformation pathways. These reactions have broad substrate scopes and mild conditions, making them potentially useful.