Gold-Catalyzed Tandem Annulations of Pyridylhomopropargylic Alcohols with Propargyl Alcohols

A gold-catalyzed tandem annulation of propargylic alcohols and pyridylhomopropargylic alcohols is achieved, providing an atom-economical approach to a diverse set of polycyclic dihydrobenzofurans in good yields. The reaction proceeds via the 5-endo-dig cyclization/Meyer-Schuster rearrangement/Friedel-Crafts-type pathway. In this way, three C-C bonds and one C-O bond form to give a polycyclic skeleton in a one-pot process. Moreover, the products exhibit unique optical properties, which reveal their potential application value.

Automated summary

The tandem annulation of propargylic alcohols and pyridylhomopropargylic alcohols catalyzed by gold provides a atom-economical approach to a diverse set of polycyclic dihydrobenzofurans in good yields. The reaction involves 5-endo-dig cyclization/Meyer-Schuster rearrangement/Friedel-Crafts-type pathway, forming three C-C bonds and one C-O bond to give a polycyclic skeleton in a one-pot process. Additionally, the products exhibit unique optical properties, indicating their potential application value.