(N‐Heterocyclic Carbene)Gold(I)‐Catalyzed Cycloisomerization of Cyclohexadienyl Alkynes to Tetracyclo[3.3.0.0^2,8.0^4,6]octanes

Abstract

Biscyclopropanation: Dienynes containing a cyclohexadienyl unit can be converted into tetracyclo[3.3.0.02,8.04,6]octanes by treatment with an (N-heterocyclic carbene)gold catalyst. When the dienynes bear an open-chain diene instead of cyclohexadiene, open-cage compounds, with two sides missing from the cage, are obtained.