Abstract
(Chemical Equation Presented) We report PPh 3 AuCl/AgOTf-catalyzed hydrative carbocyclization of 1,5- and 1,7-allenynes to give cyclized ketones chemoselectively. In this transformation, hydration occurrs regioselectively at the C≡CPh carbon, accompanied by addition of the C≡CPh carbon to the two terminal allenyl carbons. This method is effective for the construction of a quaternary carbon center. On the basis of the chirality transfer of allenyne substrates, control experiments, and theoretic calculations, we propose that this hydrative carbocyclization proceeds through an initial π-allene complex with a small energy barrier. © 2008 American Chemical Society.