Gold-catalyzed tandem cycloisomerization of alkynyloxiranes with nucleophiles: An efficient approach to 2,5-disubstituted furans

An efficient approach to 2,5-disubstituted furans has been developed by utilizing gold-catalyzed sequential nucleophilic attack onto metal-complexed alkynes with complete regioselectivity. The reaction proceeds efficiently under mild conditions with commercially available catalysts to afford furans in moderate to excellent yields (up to 96 %) with high diversity.