Journal of the American Chemical Society, Vol.130, No.29, 9244-9244, 2008
Synthesis of azepines by a gold-catalyzed intermolecular [4+3]-annulation
A convenient gold(III)-catalyzed synthesis of azepines from the intermolecular annulation of propargyl esters and alpha,beta-unsaturated imines is reported (19 examples, 55-95% yield). This formal [4 + 3]-cycloaddition reaction is proposed to proceed via a stepwise process involving intramolecular trapping of an allyl-gold intermediate.