Gold(I)-Catalyzed Enantioselective [2+2+2] Cycloadditions: An Expedient Entry to Enantioenriched Tetrahydropyran Scaffolds

A straightforward and atom-economical enantioselective approach to highly substituted tetrahydropyrans is reported. The process, which consists of an intermolecular gold-catalyzed [2+2+2] cycloaddition between allenamides, alkenes, and aldehydes, is efficiently catalyzed by both phosphoramidite- and chiral N-heterocyclic carbene-gold catalysts, occurs with complete chemoselectivity and regioselectivity, moderate diastereoselectivity, and moderate to very good enantioselectivities