A new and convenient strategy for the synthesis of functionalized tropone derivatives based on the gold-catalyzed oxidative ring expansion of alkynyl quinols has been developed. The reaction proceeds via gold-catalyzed highly regioselective oxidation followed by 1,2-migration of a vinyl or phenyl group. Extension of this chemistry allows ready access to various seven- or six-membered ring systems such as benzotropones, benzooxepines, phenanthrenes, and quinolin-2(1H)-ones.

A gold-catalyzed cascade hydroamination/cyclization reaction of α-amino ketones with alkynes to form substituted pyrroles has been developed. The method offers several advantages such as high regioselectivity with the tested cases, wide functional group tolerance, and easily accessible starting materials. The synthetic utility of the obtained pyrrole products was demonstrated by their efficient transformations to 2-vinylated pyrroles via gold-catalyzed intermolecular hydroarylation.