Gold vinylidene complexes: intermolecular C(sp3)-H insertions and cyclopropanations pathways

Highly reactive gold vinylidene species are used for intermolecular C(sp(3))-H insertions into unactivated alkanes (see scheme). In addition, they can be regarded as synthons for alkylidene carbenes. Initiated by cyclopropanation of the vinylidene species/alkylidene carbenoide, cyclobutene derivatives are formed in a diastereoselective fashion by a ring-enlargement cascade in only one step.