Au-catalyzed synthesis of (1Z,3E)-2-pivaloxy-1,3-dienes from propargylic pivalates.

Propargylic pivalates with electronically unbiased internal alkynes are selectively transformed into (1Z,3E)-2-pivaloxy-1,3-dienes containing various functionalities. The unusual selectivity of 1,2-acyloxy migration over the structurally preferred 3,3-rearrangement is realized. This reaction is highly stereoselective and offers rapid access to dienes for one-pot intra-/intermolecular Diels-Alder reactions either under thermal conditions or with Lewis acid catalysis.