In-Mediated Synthesis of Allenic Esters and their Cyclization to 2-Naphthoates

Significance

Functionalized α-hydroxyallenic esters combine two useful functions: an allenic alcohol and an allenic ester, and therefore are useful intermediates in synthetic chemistry, as well as structural units of many natural compounds. Herein, a simple and general method for their synthesis, based on the formation of organoindium intermediates, is described. These compounds were shown to undergo an interesting Au⁺-catalyzed cyclization to 2-naphthoate derivatives.