A route to dihydrofuran fused naphthoquinones via gold-catalyzed oxyarylation of alkenes

Abstract

A ligand-assisted Au(I)/Au(III) catalytic approach has been developed to achieve 1,2-oxyarylation of alkenes for the efficient synthesis of dihydrofuran-fused naphthoquinones. This redox-neutral method leverages the π-acidic properties of MeDalPhosAuCl to facilitate 1,2-difunctionalization under mild conditions, eliminating the need for external oxidants or photocatalysts. The strategy exhibits broad substrate scope, employing readily available, non-prefunctionalized aryl iodides, and provides a valuable route to structurally complex heterocycles.