Gold–carbene assisted formation of tetraarylmethane derivatives: double X–H activation by gold

Abstract

An efficient gold–carbene promoted generation of tetraarylmethane derivatives from enynones and indoles was accomplished by the formation of a new C–O bond and two C–C bonds. It is significant that (2-furyl) gold–carbene assisted addition of two nucleophiles resulted in the formation of tetraarylmethane derivatives with a quaternary centre in moderate to good yields in one pot.