Gold(III)-catalyzed synthesis of 2,5-disubstituted furans from substituted 5-methoxyhex-3-yn-2-ols—Mechanistic outlook

Gold(III)-catalyzed activation of alkynes has been applied for the synthesis 2,5-disubstituted furans from substituted 5-methoxy-hex-3-yn-2-ols. Mechanistically, reaction proceeds via an allenyl carbocation intermediate followed by 5-endo-dig cyclization. The high-yielding, open-air, room temperature conditions to synthesize a series alkyl, aryl, and hetero aryl-substituted provide uniqueness strategy.