Gold-Catalyzed Cascade Reaction of Skipped Diynes for the Construction of a Cyclohepta[b]pyrrole Scaffold.

A gold-catalyzed cascade reaction of skipped diynes (1,4-diynes) and pyrroles has been developed. This reaction proceeds by the consecutive regioselective hydroarylation of two alkynes with a pyrrole, followed by a 7-endo-dig cyclization to give 1,6-dihydrocyclohepta[b]pyrroles in good yields. The direct synthesis of cyclohepta[b]indoles using indole nucleophiles has also been reported.