It has been established that a cationic rhodium(I)/cod complex catalyzes the cotrimerization of propargyl esters and arylacetylenes, leading to substituted dihydropentalenes, in the presence of excess cod through elimination of carboxylic acids. E.g., [Rh(cod)2]BF4/cod catalyzed the cotrimerization of AcOCMe2C竕。CCO2Me and PhC竕。CH to give 59% dihydropentalene I. [on SciFinder(R)]