Homogeneous Gold-Catalyzed Oxidative Carboheterofunctionalization of Alkenes

Abstract

Homogeneous carboamination, carboalkoxylation and carbolactonization of terminal alkenes are realized via oxidative gold catalysis, providing expedient access to various substituted N- or O-heterocycles. Deuterium-labeling studies established the anti nature of the alkene functionalization and the indispensible role of Au(I)/Au(III) catalysis. This study constitutes the first example of catalytically converting C(sp³)−Au bonds into C(sp³)−-C(sp²) bonds in a cross-coupling manner and opens new opportunities to study gold alkene catalysis where alkylgold intermediates can be readily functionalized intermolecularly.