Direct substitution of the hydroxy group with highly functionalized nitrogen nucleophiles catalyzed by Au(III).

A direct catalytic substitution of various allylic and benzylic alcohols with synthetically useful, but acid-sensitive Boc, Bus, and Dios protected amine nucleophiles, which have not been well utilized for Lewis acid catalysis, with various functionalities (OTBS, OTHP, etc.) was efficiently catalyzed by 1 mol% of Au(III) under mild conditions.