Hemilabile MIC^N ligands allow oxidant-free Au(<scp>i</scp>)/Au(<scp>iii</scp>) arylation-lactonization of γ-alkenoic acids

Abstract

bonds as well as with aryl iodides. Based on the fundamental knowledge gained on the redox properties on these Au(i)/Au(iii) systems, we successfully develop a novel Au(i)-catalytic procedure for the synthesis of γ-substituted γ-butyrolactones through the arylation-lactonization reaction of the corresponding γ-alkenoic acid. The oxidative addition of the aryl iodide, which in turn is allowed by the hemilabile nature of the MIC^N ligand, is an essential step for this transformation.