Gold-catalyzed isomerization of unactivated allenes into 1,3-dienes under ambient conditions

Abstract

We have developed a gold-catalyzed isomerization of unactivated allenes into 1,3-dienes with nitrosobenzene as an additive. This reaction proceeded almost exclusively at room temperature for highly substituted allenes. The utility of this reaction is manifested by the development of one-pot [4+2]-cycloaddition of allenes and reactive alkenes. © 2012 Royal Society of Chemistry.