Progress in a variety of catalytic systems-catalyzed dimerizations of terminal alkynes to synthesize enynes is summarized. These catalytic systems included transition-metal complexes, organolanthanide and organoactinium complexes, IIIA element complexes and organic catalysts. The results showed that the catalytic systems had a fundamental influence on the selectivity, in particular regioselectivity (head-to- head or head-to-tail), of the dimerization reactions of terminal alkynes.

Key words: enyne, selectivity, dimerization reaction, terminal alkyne