Gold(I)-catalyzed stereoselective formation of functionalized 2,5-dihydrofurans

A study concerning the gold(l)-catalyzed rearrangement of butynediol monobenzoates into functionalized 2,5-dihydrofurans is described. The mild reaction conditions employed allow the efficient and rapid stereoselective synthesis of a variety of 2,5-dihydrofurans via a sequence of two gold(l)-catalyzed isomerization steps.