Gold-catalyzed dehydrative transformations of unsaturated alcohols

摘要

The activation of allylic and propargylic alcohols for use as electrophiles represents a burgeoning new area in homogeneous gold catalysis. This review covers Au-catalyzed substitution reactions of unsaturated alcohols in which water serves as leaving group. Attention is given to different substrate classes and the mechanisms by which the reactions are believed to occur. Recent advances in chirality transfer and enantioselective reactions are also reviewed.