Gold-catalyzed efficient preparation of linear α-haloenones from propargylic acetates

Versatile linear α-iodo- and α-bromoenones are prepared efficiently from readily accessible propargylic acetates using 2 mol % of Au(PPh3)NTf2. This reaction is easy to execute and has broad substrate scope. Good to excellent Z-selectivities are observed in the cases of propargylic acetates derived from aliphatic aldehydes.