Gold(I)-catalyzed stereoselective cyclization of ortho alkynyl benzaldehyde chromium complexes with nucleophiles

Gold(I)-catalyzed cyclization of o-alkynyl benzaldehyde chromium complexes gave stereoselectively 1-anti- and syn-functionalized 1H-isochromene chromium complexes, respectively, depending on the nature of nucleophiles. Enantiomerically pure trans- and cis-1,3-dimethylisochromans were stereoselectively prepared from a single planar chiral o-(1-propynyl)benzaldehyde chromium complex.