Synthesis of Cyclobutanones <i>via</i> Gold‐Catalyzed Oxidative Rearrangement of Homopropargylic Ethers

Abstract

Abstract In the presence of a gold catalyst and 8‐ethylquinoline N ‐oxide, a homopropargylic ether bearing an electron‐rich aromatic ring or an alkenyl group can be converted into a cis ‐cyclobutanone smoothly. An α‐oxo gold carbenoid is proved to be the key intermediate, and it can evolve into an oxonium ylide. magnified image