Synthesis of indenyl ethers by gold(I)-catalyzed intramolecular carboalkoxylation of alkynes.

ABSTRACT

The gold(I)-catalyzed carboalkoxylation of alkynes to form indanone derivatives from readily available ortho-acetylenic benzylic ethers is described. Importantly, the gold(I)-catalyzed rearrangement of enantioenriched benzylic ethers proceeds with chirality transfer, thus providing a practical method for the enantioselective synthesis of indenyl ethers.