Synthesis of tetrahydroquinolines by gold-catalyzed cascade ring-opening–intramolecular hydroarylation of 2-alkynylazetidines

Abstract

Cascade ring-opening–cyclization reaction of 2-alkynylazetidines with gold catalyst is described. A variety of substituted tetrahydroquinolines were obtained from the corresponding 2-alkynylazetidines. The reaction proceeds via alcoholitic ring-opening of 2-alkynylazetidines followed by intramolecular hydroarylation of the resulting δ-amino-α,β-unsaturated ketone derivatives.