Gold(I) catalyzed tandem cyclization of propargylic esters to 4-acyloxy-1,2-dihydroquinolines

An effective synthetic protocol for structurally diverse 4-acyloxy-1,2-dihydroquinoline compounds has been accomplished by a gold(I)-catalyzed tandem [3,3]-rearrangement and intramolecular hydroamination of propargylic esters, affording the desired products in good yields. Moreover, the asymmetric variant of this cyclization has also been achieved using a chiral nitrogen acyclic carbene (NAC) gold(I) complex. These products have application in the enantioselective synthesis of an aromatase inhibitor within three simple steps.