Au-Catalyzed Formation of Functionalized Quinolines from 2-Alkynyl Arylazide Derivatives

A new method for converting 2-alkynyl arylazide derivatives into functionalized polysubstituted quinolines following a gold-catalyzed 1,3-acetoxy shift/cyclization/1,2-group shift sequence has been developed. This transformation proceeds under mild reaction conditions, is efficient, and tolerates a large variety of functional groups.