Gold-catalyzed oxidative cyclizations of cis-3-En-1-ynes to form cyclopentenone derivatives

Abstract

Golden tendencies: The title reaction for synthesizing cyclopentenone derivatives utilizes a gold complex and 8-methylquinoline oxide as the catalyst system (see scheme; IPr=1,3-bis(diisopropylphenyl)imidazol-2-ylidene). Such products are not attainable using diazocarbonyl reagents, as the gold carbenoids tend to react with C-H bonds. Copyright © 2012 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.