Development of Gold-catalyzed [4+1] and [2+2+1]/[4+2] Annulations between Propiolate Derivatives and Isoxazoles.

Two new gold-catalyzed annulations of isoxazoles with propiolates have been developed. Most isoxazoles follow an initial O attack on the alkyne to afford a [4+1] annulation product. This process results in a remarkable alkyne cleavage of initial propiolates. Unsubstituted isoxazoles proceed through an N attack step to yield formal [2+2+1]/[4+2] annulation products. These two annulation products arise initially from two seven-membered heterocyclic intermediates, which then lead to products.