Stereoselective Synthesis of Tetrasubstituted Furylalkenes via Gold-Catalyzed Cross-Coupling of Enynones with Diazo Compounds.

A stereoselective, gold-catalyzed, cross-coupling reaction of enynones with diazo compounds has been developed, affording 2-alkenylfurans in moderate to good yields with excellent E-stereoselectivity. Upon using diazo compounds as nucleophiles to trap the in situ formed gold furyl carbene, this protocol provides a novel path toward the formation of unsymmetrical tetrasubstituted alkenes.