Acetylene as a Dicarbene Equivalent for Gold(I) Catalysis: Total Synthesis of Waitziacuminone in One Step

The gold(I)‐catalyzed reaction of acetylene gas with alkenes leads to (Z,Z)‐1,4‐disubstituted 1,3‐butadienes and biscyclopropanes depending on the donor ligand on gold(I). Acetylene was generated in situ from calcium carbide and water in a user‐friendly procedure. Reaction of acetylene with 1,5‐dienes gives rise stereoselectively to tricyclo5.1.0.0^2,4]octanes. This novel double cyclopropanation has been applied to the one step total synthesis of the natural product waitziacuminone from acetylene and geranyl acetone.