Stereoselective Double Spirocyclization of 2-Benzyl-3-alkynyl Chromone with Nitrone via Gold-Catalyzed Cascade Reactions.

A novel, highly stereoselective gold-catalyzed spirocyclization of 2-benzyl-3-alkynyl chromone with nitrone is described. This cascade reaction involves gold-catalyzed cycloisomerization, nitrone-olefin [3 + 2]-annulation, alkene oxidation, and rearrangement for the formation of spirocyclic products. Interestingly, the isoxazolidine ring generated from [3 + 2]-annulation donates oxygen to alkene to generate a new pyran-3(4)-one and azetidine ring for dispiro-benzofuran formation upon heating. This work demonstrates the one-pot, gold-catalyzed, multiple-step reaction, and the reaction temperature directly affects the formation of spirocyclic products.