Gold-catalyzed cycloisomerizations of ene-ynamides

The gold-catalyzed cycloisomerizations of 1,6-ene-ynamides proceed under mild conditions and lead to cyclobutanones from terminal or trimethylsilyl substituted ynamides, or to carbonyl compounds bearing a 2,3-methanopyrrolidine subunit from substrates possessing a propargylic alcohol moiety. High diastereoselectivities are observed with 1,6-ene-ynamides having a stereocenter at the α or β position of the nitrogen atom.