Gold-catalyzed formation of oxonium ions from enynes and their intra- and intermolecular trapping with allylsilanes.

Gold-catalyzed ring closure of 1,5-enyne containing a silyl ether at the allylic position induces a skeletal rearrangement to form an oxonium intermediate, which then undergoes a smooth allylation in both an intra- and intermolecular manner. In the intramolecular allyl transfer, the additive alcohol becomes positioned on the silicon of the silyl ether by forming a new Si-OR bond, whereas, in the intermolecular allylation, the alcohol is incorporated in the homoallylic carbon by forming a C-OR bond.