Gold‐Catalyzed Intramolecular Redox Reaction of Sulfinyl Alkynes: Efficient Generation of α‐Oxo Gold Carbenoids and Application in Insertion into RCO Bonds

Abstract

Golden touch: α-Oxo Au carbenoids are efficiently generated by Au-catalyzed intramolecular redox reactions of sulfinyl alkynes. Besides cyclization to form benzo-fused sulfur-containing rings, these intermediates can participate in subsequent pinacol-type rearrangements, leading to a two-step insertion of a latent vinylcarbonylmethylene group into aldehydes or ketones (see scheme for second step).