Gold-catalyzed enantioselective ring-expanding cycloisomerization of cyclopropylidene bearing 1,5-enynes

An enantioselective ring-expanding cycloisomerization of 1,5-enynes bearing a cyclopropylidene moiety has been developed. This methodology provides a new approach to bicyclo[4.2.0]octanes, a structural motif present in many biologically active natural products.