Gold-Catalyzed Tandem Oxidative Coupling Reaction between β-Ketoallenes and Electron-Rich Arenes to 2-Furylmethylarenes.

A tandem oxidative coupling reaction of β-ketoallenes and arenes was developed, which leads to the formation of 2-furylmethylarenes using AuCl3 and phenyliodine diacetate. The AuIII salt catalyzed the cyclization of β-ketoallenes to form a 2-furylmethyl gold intermediate, and the subsequent C-H functionalization of arenes proceeded smoothly. During the oxidative coupling, nucleophilic additions occurred at the center and terminal carbon atoms of the allene moiety to form C-O and C-C bonds.