The Au(I)-catalyzed intramolecular hydroarylation of terminal alkynes under mild conditions: application to the synthesis of 2H-chromenes, coumarins, benzofurans, and dihydroquinolines.

Operationally simple Au(I)-catalyzed intramolecular hydroarylation (IMHA) reactions of terminal alkynes that proceed in high yield and under very mild conditions are described. These processes involve low catalyst loadings, mild reaction temperatures, and short reaction times, require no cocatalysts or additives, and allow for the generation of a number of important heterocyclic motifs from readily accessible starting materials.