Cationic Gold Catalyzes ω-Bromination of Terminal Alkynes and Subsequent Hydroaddition Reactions

Orthogonal σ,π-bisfunctionalization of terminal alkynes can be achieved with a cationic gold complex in catalytic amounts. First, the terminal C–H bond is transformed to the corresponding bromoalkyne which is then activated toward nucleophilic attack. This reactivity correlates with the structural nature of isolated gold-alkyne complexes.