Rapid access to cyclopentadiene derivatives through gold-catalyzed cycloisomerization of ynamides with cyclopropenes by preferential activation of alkenes over alkynes.

In this communication, gold-catalyzed intermolecular cycloisomerization of cyclopropenes and ynamides is investigated. The current transformation displayed an activation priority of double bonds over triple bonds by the cationic gold catalyst, giving the corresponding cyclopentadienes in good to excellent yields. Additionally, this protocol can be expanded to a one-pot two-step procedure for the synthesis of substituted cyclopentanones.