Direct β‐Selective Cross‐Coupling of Alkenyl Gold Complexes with Alkyl Electrophiles

Gold(I)-Catalyzed [2 + 2] and [3 + 2] Cycloadditions of 1,1-Difluoroallenes with Aldehydes: Switchable Syntheses of Fluorinated Oxetanes and Furans

1,1-Difluoroallenes underwent regioselective [2 + 2] and [3 + 2] cycloadditions with aldehydes using Au(I) catalysts. An AuCl catalyst enabled an α,β-selective [2 + 2] cycloaddition of 1,1-difluoroallenes, yielding (E)-3-alkylidene-2,2-difluorooxetanes. Conversely, an AuCl(IPr)-AgSbF6 catalyst facilitated an α,γ-selective [3 + 2] cycloaddition, followed by dehydrofluorination to produce aromatized 2-fluorofurans. DFT calculations (B3LYP level) suggested that the former reaction proceeded through Au(III)-containing metallacycles, while the latter involved cyclic Au(I) carbenoids.

Synthesis of alkynamides through reaction of alkyl- or aryl-substituted alkynylaluminums with isocyanates

An efficient and facile method for the preparation of alkynamides through Et₃N-catalyzed alumination of alkyl- or aryl-substituted terminal alkynes with AlMe₃ and sequential nucleophilic addition of in situ generated alkynylaluminums to isocyanates is described. This method has the merits of using readily available isocyanates and monosubstituted alkynes, easy access to organoaluminums, short reaction times, and high efficiency. A gram-scale synthesis of the desired alkynamide and its application to the formation of α-methylene-β-lactams demonstrates the synthetic utility of this method.