Furan-Based o-Quinodimethanes by Gold-Catalyzed Dehydrogenative Heterocyclization of 2-(1-Alkynyl)-2-alken-1-ones: A Modular Entry to 2,3-Furan-Fused Carbocycles

A strategy for in situ generation of furan-based ortho-quinodimethanes (o-QDMs) by the gold(I)-mediated dehydrogenative heterocyclization of 2-(1-alkynyl)-2-alken-1ones in the presence of pyridine N-oxide under mild reaction conditions was developed. These in situ furan-based o-QDMs were trapped by electron-deficient olefins and alkynes, thus furnishing various 2,3-furan-fused carbocycles in good yields with high diastereo-and regioselectivities.