Gold-Catalyzed Stereoselective Synthesis of Di- or Trisubstituted Olefins Possessing a 1,4-Diene Framework via Intramolecular Allylation of Alkynes

The cationic gold(I)-catalyzed reaction of 1-alkynyl-2-allylsilylbenzenes with water results in intramolecular allylation of the alkynes via 7-exo-dig cyclization to give 1,4-dienes in good yield with excellent stereoselectivities.