Gold(I)-Catalyzed Intermolecular Cycloaddition of Allenamides with α,β-Unsaturated Hydrazones: Efficient Access to Highly Substituted Cyclobutanes

alpha,beta-Unsaturated N,N-dialkyl hydrazones undergo a mild [2 + 2] cycloaddition to allenamides when treated with a suitable gold catalyst. The method, which represents the first application of N,N-dialkyl hydrazones in gold catalysis, is compatible with a wide variety of substituents at the alkenyl moiety of the hydrazone component, proceeds with excellent levels of regio- and diastereoselectivity, and provides densely substituted cyclobutanes with good to excellent yields.