Formation of Gold Carbenoids by Intermolecular Oxidation of Alkynes and Its Synthetic Application to Heterocycles

Abstract

α-Oxo gold carbenoids are now accessible by intermolecular oxidation of alkynes by pyridine/quinoline-N-oxides in the presence of suitable gold (I) catalysts. In this review, a concise history of this chemistry and its applications to the syntheses of oxetan-3-ones, azetidin-3-ones, and 2,5-disubstituted oxazoles are described.