Cyclization of allenyne-1,6-diols catalyzed by gold and silver salts: An efficient selective synthesis of dihydrofuran and furan derivatives

Treatment of allenyne-1,6-diols with gold and silver catalysts selectively produced 2,5-dihydrofuran and furan derivatives, respectively, in good to excellent yields through the selective activation and differentiation of the double and triple bonds in allenyne-1,6-diols. It is noteworthy that the chemoselectivity is clearly switched by simply changing the metal from gold to silver.