Gold-Catalyzed Three-Component Coupling: Oxidative Oxyarylation of Alkenes

The three-component coupling of terminal alkenes with arylboronic acids and oxygen nucleophiles is described. The reaction employs a binuclear gold(I) bromide as a catalyst and Selectfluor reagent as the stoichiometric oxidant. Alcohols, carboxylic acids, and water can be employed as oxygen nucleophiles, thus providing an efficient entry into beta-aryl ethers, esters, and alcohols from alkenes.