Gold-catalyzed cyclizations of alkyne propargylic acetates to 2,3-bis(alkylidene)cycloalkanones and their related benzene derivativest

We report a new and highly-convenient Au-catalyzed cyclization of alkyne propargylic acetates leading to 2,3-bis(alkylidene)cyclohexanones and their cycloadditions with a pendant dienophile.