Broad scope gold(i)-catalysed polyenyne cyclisations for the formation of up to four carbon–carbon bonds

Abstract

The polycyclisation of polyenynes catalyzed by gold(I) has been extended for the first time to the simultaneous formation of up to four carbon–carbon bonds, leading to steroid-like molecules with high stereoselectivity in a single step with low catalyst loadings. In addition to terminal alkynes, bromoalkynes can also be used as initiators of polyene cyclisations, giving rise to synthetically useful cyclic bromoalkenes.