A Flexible and Stereoselective Synthesis of Azetidin-3-ones through Gold-Catalyzed Intermolecular Oxidation of Alkynes

[reaction: see text] A study concerning the synthesis of new phosphine gold(I) complexes using the bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imidate moiety as a weakly coordinating counter-anion is described. These new air-stable complexes are more convenient to prepare, store, and handle and are exceedingly active for the catalysis of a wide range of enynes cycloisomerizations.

A catalyst system based on a new biarylmonophosphine ligand (BrettPhos) that shows excellent reactivity for C-N cross-coupling reactions is reported. This catalyst system enables the use of aryl mesylates as a coupling partner in C-N bond-forming reactions. Additionally, the use of BrettPhos permits the highly selective monoarylation of an array of primary aliphatic amines and anilines at low catalyst loadings and with fast reaction times, including the first monoarylation of methylamine. Lastly, oxidative addition complexes of BrettPhos are included, which provide insight into the origin of reactivity for this system.