Gold(III)-catalyzed direct nucleophilic substitution of propargylic alcohols

Gold-catalyzed nucleophilic substitution of propargylic alcohols with various nucleophiles (allylsilane, electron-rich aromatics, alcohols, thiols, hydrides, 1,3-dicarbonyl derivatives, sulfonamides) is described under very mild conditions (room temperature in dichloromethane). Preliminary mechanistic investigations suggest a mechanism through a carbocation intermediate. Nucleophilic substitutions on allylic and benzylic alcohols are also described.