Gold‐Catalyzed Efficient Formation of α , β ‐Unsaturated Ketones from Propargylic Acetates

An efficient gold‐catalyzed method for the preparation of α , β ‐unsaturated ketones from propargylic acetates has been developed. Under mild reaction conditions, β ‐monosubstituted enones were formed mostly with excellent E ‐selectivity. β,β ‐Disubstituted enones can be prepared from propargylic acetates derived from ketones. The high efficiency and mild nature of this reaction render it a viable alternative for the synthesis of α, β ‐unsaturated ketones.