Gold(I)-catalyzed intermolecular hydroarylation of allenes with nucleophilic arenes: scope and limitations

The addition of nucleophilic methoxyarenes to allenes proceeds at room temperature in dichloromethane with a catalytic amount of phosphite-gold(I) precatalyst and silver additive. The addition is regioselective for the allene terminus, and generates E-allylation products without the need for pre-functionalization of the synthons as organometallics or allyl bromides. Coordinating hereroaromatics and sterically hindered allenes do not participate in the reaction. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.