Fluorenes and Styrenes by Au(I)-Catalyzed Annulation of Enynes and Alkynes

Abstract

Intermolecular annulation of enynes and propargyl esters to selectively produce styrenes or fluorenes is reported. The divergent arene syntheses involve a Au-catalyzed, two-pot, multistep process proceeding by cis-diastereoselective cyclopropanation, cycloisomerization, and, finally, annulation or elimination.