Simple gold-catalyzed synthesis of benzofulvenes-gem-Diaurated species as "instant dual-activation" precatalysts

Article abstract of DOI:10.1002/anie.201109183

Alkyl-substituted diynes deliver benzofulvenes in a unique gold-catalyzed reaction. The catalytic cycle involves the formation of gold acetylides by alkynyl C-H activation, the formation of vinylidene gold(I) intermediates by dual activation, and alkyl C-H activation by the vinylidene gold(I) species. gem-Diaurated species obtained from the catalysis reactions prove to be highly active catalysts for these conversions. Copyright