Gold-Catalyzed Synthesis of Quinolines from Propargyl Silyl Ethers and Anthranils through the Umpolung of a Gold Carbene Carbon.

A gold-catalyzed cascade annulation of propargylic silyl ethers with anthranils proceeds through a sequential ring opening/1,2-H-shift/protodeauration/Mukaiyama aldol cyclization. This method offers a regiospecific and modular access to 2-aminoquinolines and other quinoline derivatives under mild conditions and with a broad functional-group tolerance. The conversion is possible on a gram scale, which underlines the synthetic practicability of this methodology. The versatility of the obtained scaffold has been demonstrated by useful postfunctionalization.