Formal Intermolecular [2 + 2] Cycloaddition Reaction of Alleneamides with Alkenes via Gold Catalysis

An efficient method was developed to construct the densely functionalized cyclobuane adducts through formal intermolecular cycloaddition of alleneamides with electron-rich olefins via gold catalysis, in which vinyl ethers/amides and electron-rich styrenes worked very well. In addition, a series of alleneamide dimerization products were prepared from the same alleneamide substrates.