Furan-based o-quinodimethanes by gold-catalyzed dehydrogenative heterocyclization of 2-(1-alkynyl)-2-alken-1-ones: a modular entry to 2,3-furan-fused carbocycles.

A strategy for in situ generation of furan-based ortho-quinodimethanes (o-QDMs) by the gold(I)-mediated dehydrogenative heterocyclization of 2-(1-alkynyl)-2-alken-1-ones in the presence of pyridine N-oxide under mild reaction conditions was developed. These in situ furan-based o-QDMs were trapped by electron-deficient olefins and alkynes, thus furnishing various 2,3-furan-fused carbocycles in good yields with high diastereo- and regioselectivities.