Site-specific introduction of gold-carbenoids by intermolecular oxidation of ynamides or ynol ethers

Ynamides and ynol ethers undergo intermolecular gold-catalysed reaction with a nucleophilic oxidant to access metal-carbenoid reactivity patterns. A site-specific oxidation/ 1,2-insertion cascade is used for a general access to functionalised alpha,beta-unsaturated carboxylic acid derivatives and vinylogous carbimates.