Arylsilanes: Application to Gold-Catalyzed Oxyarylation of Alkenes

Arylsilanes are efficient reagents for the gold-catalyzed oxyarylation of alkenes (21 examples, up to 85% isolated yield). Using commercially available Ph3PAuCl and readily prepared, benign arylsilanes, these two- and three-component reactions proceed smoothly in air. The oxidant, Selectfluor, not only facilitates entry to the Au(I/III) manifold but also provides a fluoride anion for silane activation, thereby avoiding the need for addition of a stoichiometric base.