Gold-catalyzed highly regio- and enantioselective vinylcarbene insertion into O-H bonds of 2-pyridones.

The first gold-catalyzed highly regio- and enantioselective carbene insertion into the O-H bonds of 2-pyridones has been realized in the presence of catalytic amounts of chiral dual-gold complexes. The corresponding chiral products were obtained in moderate to good yields, excellent O-selectivity, excellent carbenic selectivity and moderate to excellent enantioselectivities (up to 96% ee).