Synthesis of the Phenanthrene and Cyclohepta[a]naphthalene Skeletons via Gold(I)-Catalyzed Intramolecular Cyclization of Unactivated Cyclic 5-(2-Arylethyl)-1,3-dienes

The gold(I)-catalyzed hydroarylation of cyclohexa-1,3-dienes bearing an aryl group and a gem-diester in the tether proceeds in a 1,4-addition manner and in a diastereoselective fashion to afford perhydrophenanthrene rings. The reaction proceeded via attack of the aryl group onto the gold-activated cyclic dienes followed by rearomatization and protodeauration to generate perhydrophenanthrenes in good yields. This hydroarylation can be applied to the synthesis of perhydrocyclohepta[a]naphthalenes from aryl-tethered cycloheptadienes and the gold(I) catalyst.