Solvent controlled mechanistic dichotomy in a Au(III)-catalyzed, heterocyclization triggered, Nazarov reaction.

Tandem Au(III)-catalyzed heterocyclization/Nazarov cyclizations leading to substituted carbocycle fused furans are described. An interesting dichotomy of reaction pathways as a function of solvent, confirmed by the isolation and trapping of reaction intermediates, provided a basis for computational studies that supported the experimental findings. This journal is © The Royal Society of Chemistry 2011