Highly Efficient One-Pot Synthesis of 2,4,5-Trisubstituted 3(2 H )-Furanones Utilizing a Au(I)-Catalyzed Oxidation/Pinacol Rearrangement/ anti -Michael Cascade.

A highly efficient Au(I)-catalyzed cascade reaction between bispropargylic alcohols and pyridine- N -oxides has been realized. The reaction process involved a gold(I)-catalyzed sequential oxidation/Pinacol rearrangement/oxacyclization. Moreover, 1,2-aryl, 1,2-alkyl, or 1,2-vinyl migration was favored over 1,2-alkynyl in the crucial gold(I)-catalyzed Pinacol rearrangement step. A range of 2,4,5-trisubstituted 3(2 H )-furanones were synthesized in high yields (up to 88%) with excellent regioselectivities (up to >19:1) under mild reaction conditions.