A general and efficient synthesis of substituted furans and dihydrofurans via gold-catalyzed cyclization of (Z)-2-en-4-yn-1-ols

A highly efficient Au-catalyzed cyclization of (Z)-enynols that proceeds under mild reaction conditions has been developed. This methodology provides rapid access to substituted furans and stereodefined (Z)-5-ylidene-2,5-dihydrofurans in a regioselective manner from suitably substituted (Z)-2-en-4-yn-1-ols.