Heterogeneous gold-catalyzed oxidative cross-coupling of propargylic acetates with arylboronic acids leading to (E)-α-arylenones

An efficient heterogeneous gold-catalyzed oxidative cross-coupling of propargylic acetates with arylboronic acids has been developed that proceeds smoothly in the presence of Selectfluor and provides a general and powerful tool for the preparation of various valuable alpha-arylenones with moderate to good yields, excellent E-selectivity, and recyclability of the gold catalyst. The reaction is the first example of heterogeneous gold-catalyzed arylative rearrangement of propargylic acetates for construction of complex enones. (C) 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.