Gold catalysis contra platinum catalysis in hydroarylation contra phenol synthesis

Three silylated γ-alkynylfurans were prepared and subjected to both gold and platinum catalysts. The TMS- and the TBDMS-substituted furans reacted. With AuCl3 and the binuclear [(Ph3PAu)2Cl][BF4] catalyst a hydroarylation of the alkyne was observed. Na[AuCl4] gave phenols as the product, but these were formed only after in situ desilylation of the starting material by the gold catalyst and thus the wrong isomer dominated. Only with PtCl2(MeCN)2 phenols with a silyl group were formed. The TBDPS-substituted furan failed to react. Two alkynylsilanes were synthesized, but they also failed to react.