On the Nature of the Reactive Intermediates in Gold‐Catalyzed Cycloisomerization Reactions

Abstract

A gold rush: The Stork–Eschenmoser postulate explaining the course and stereoselectivity of cationic polyene cyclization reactions also holds true for cycloisomerization reactions catalyzed by gold. This result suggests that the pertinent intermediates (see scheme) are more adequately described as gold- stabilized carbocations rather than as gold carbenes. E=COOMe, L=neutral ligand. Detailed facts of importance to specialist readers are published as ”Supporting Information”. Such documents are peer-reviewed, but not copy-edited or typeset. They are made available as submitted by the authors. Please note: The publisher is not responsible for the content or functionality of any supporting information supplied by the authors. Any queries (other than missing content) should be directed to the corresponding author for the article.