Selectivity-switchable construction of benzo-fused polycyclic compounds through a gold-catalyzed reaction of enyne-lactone

A gold-catalyzed selectivity-switchable reaction of enyne-lactone is reported. Different products, including naphthalenes and benzo-fused polycyclic compounds, can be selectively obtained from the same starting material. The choice of the gold complex is the key for the chemoselectivity of this system.