Unveiling the uncatalyzed reaction of alkynes with 1,2-dipoles for the room temperature synthesis of cyclobutenes.

2-(Pyridinium-1-yl)-1,1-bis(triflyl)ethanides have been used as 1,2-dipole precursors in a metal-free direct [2+2] cycloaddition reaction of alkynes. Starting from stable zwitterionic pyridinium salts, the electron deficient olefin 1,1-bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)ethene is generated in situ and immediately reacted at room temperature with an alkyne to afford substituted cyclobutenes. Remarkably, this mild and facile uncatalyzed protocol requires neither irradiation nor heating.