Gold(I)-catalyzed rearrangement of alkynylaziridine indoles for the synthesis of spiro-tetrahydro-β-carbolines

Functionalized spiro-tetrahydro-β-carbolines were formed by an efficient gold(I)-catalyzed rearrangement reaction of alkynylaziridine indoles. The reaction involved a Friedel–Crafts type intramolecular reaction of alkynylaziridine indoles, following by hydroamination of aminoallene intermediate.