Gold-catalyzed double migration-benzannulation cascade toward naphthalenes

A novel gold(I)-catalyzed cycloisomerization of propargylic esters leading to unsymmetrically substituted naphthalenes has been developed. This cascade reaction involves an unprecedented tandem sequence of 1,3- and 1,2-migration of two different migrating groups. It is believed that this transformation likely proceeds via the formation of 1,3-diene intermediate or its precursor, which upon cyclization and aromatization steps transforms into the naphthalene core.