This article is part of the Thematic Series \"Gold catalysis for organic synthesis\".

Introduction
============

Recently, several research groups have developed gold-catalyzed homogeneous catalytic reactions \[[@R1]\]. A variety of organic transformations have been shown to be mediated by gold(I) or gold(III) complexes in solution. In addition to its ability to activate unsaturated C--C bonds, the catalysis of nucleophilic addition by gold complexes for the formation of carbon--carbon and carbon--heteroatom bonds has been one of the most investigated reactions in recent organometallic catalysis \[[@R1]--[@R24]\]. In particular, water as a nucleophilic reagent has been used in the addition of alkynes and allenes \[[@R16]--[@R18]\]. In contrast, gold-catalyzed oxidation chemistry has been less well developed \[[@R25]--[@R36]\], although oxidative cleavage of carbon--carbon double bonds and carbon--carbon triple bonds by homogeneous gold catalysts was reported recently \[[@R28]--[@R29] [@R33]\]. To the best of our knowledge, gold and other transition metal-catalyzed oxidations of allenes have not been reported \[[@R37]--[@R38]\]. In the context of ongoing studies on metal-catalyzed atom-economical reactions, we have been interested in the use of gold for simple and highly efficient transformations. Additionally, quinoxaline and benzimidazole skeletons are common building blocks for the preparation of substances with pronounced biological activities \[[@R39]--[@R44]\]. Herein, we report the gold(I)-catalyzed oxidation/hydration and oxidative cleavage of allenes to form α-diketones and aldehydes, and the synthesis of quinoxalines and benzimidazoles via the condensation of the resulting α-diketones and aldehydes with benzene-1,2-diamine \[[@R45]--[@R56]\].

Results and Discussion
======================

Our initial explorations focused on the reaction of 4-butylphenylallene (**1a**) (0.5 mmol) in the presence of a catalytic mixture of (Ph~3~P)AuCl (2 mol %), AgBF~4~ (8 mol %), and H~2~SO~4~ (0.5 mol %) in dioxane (1.0 mL) and water (10 mmol), at 60 °C for 24 h in air. This proceeded efficiently to form a 44:56 mixture of α-diketone **2a** and aldehyde **3a** in 70% combined yield ([Scheme 1](#C1){ref-type="fig"}, [Table 1](#T1){ref-type="table"}, entry 1). The use of either the gold or silver pre-catalyst alone gave lower yields ([Table 1](#T1){ref-type="table"}, entries 18 and 19). These results indicate that both the Au source and AgBF~4~ play a crucial role in this oxidation. The superior efficiency of the tetrafluoroborate anion was demonstrated by a comparison with other weakly or non-coordinating counter anions. In addition, a change of the counter anion to OTf^−^, SbF~6~ ^−^, or NTf~2~ ^−^ was also effective ([Table 1](#T1){ref-type="table"}, entries 2--4). The use of other gold catalysts, e.g., (Ph~3~P)AuNO~3~ and IMesAuCl, led to only to combined yields of **2a** and **3a** of 49% and 60%, respectively ([Table 1](#T1){ref-type="table"}, entries 16--17). Decreasing the amount of the sulfuric acid also resulted in a lower yield, although the addition of a large amount of the acid did not affect the reaction ([Table 1](#T1){ref-type="table"}, entries 8--9). Different acids were screened ([Table 1](#T1){ref-type="table"}, entries 1, 5--7) and sulfuric acid was found to be the most effective. The use of solvents such as THF, toluene, DCE or ether resulted in a lower conversion ([Table 1](#T1){ref-type="table"}, entries 10--13). Treatment of **1a** in an atmosphere of O~2~ (1 atm) afforded **2a** and **3a** in a combined yield of 47% ([Table 1](#T1){ref-type="table"}, entry 20). When the reaction was conducted under a nitrogen atmosphere, only trace of products were observed ([Table 1](#T1){ref-type="table"}, entry 21).

![Oxidation of 4-butylphenylallene.](Beilstein_J_Org_Chem-07-860-g002){#C1}

###### 

Oxidation of **1a** catalyzed by a mixture of (PPh~3~)AuCl, AgBF~4~, and H~2~SO~4~.^a^

  ------- ----------------- ----------- --------- ------------------- --------- --------------- -----------------------------------
  Entry   Au\               Ag\         H~2~O\    Acid\               Solvent   Ratio^b^\       Yield (%)^c^ of **2a** and **3a**
          (2 mol %)         (8 mol %)   (equiv)   (mol %)                       **2a**:**3a**   

                                                                                                

  1       (PPh~3~)AuCl      AgBF~4~     20        H~2~SO~4~ (0.5)     dioxane   44:56           70

  2       (PPh~3~)AuCl      AgOTf       20        H~2~SO~4~ (0.5)     dioxane   38:62           63

  3       (PPh~3~)AuCl      AgNTf~2~    20        H~2~SO~4~ (0.5)     dioxane   55:45           43

  4       (PPh~3~)AuCl      AgSbF~6~    20        H~2~SO~4~ (0.5)     dioxane   49:51           47

  5       (PPh~3~)AuCl      AgBF~4~     20        F~3~CCO~2~H (0.5)   dioxane   43:57           58

  6       (PPh~3~)AuCl      AgBF~4~     20        MsOH (0.5)          dioxane   39:61           68

  7       (PPh~3~)AuCl      AgBF~4~     20        TsOH (0.5)          dioxane   37:63           48

  8       (PPh~3~)AuCl      AgBF~4~     20        H~2~SO~4~ (0.25)    dioxane   49:51           40

  9       (PPh~3~)AuCl      AgBF~4~     20        H~2~SO~4~ (1.0)     dioxane   48:52           70

  10      (PPh~3~)AuCl      AgBF~4~     20        H~2~SO~4~ (0.5)     THF       47:53           19

  11      (PPh~3~)AuCl      AgBF~4~     20        H~2~SO~4~ (0.5)     toluene   39:61           49

  12      (PPh~3~)AuCl      AgBF~4~     20        H~2~SO~4~ (0.5)     DCE       43:57           60

  13      (PPh~3~)AuCl      AgBF~4~     20        H~2~SO~4~ (0.5)     ether     36:64           37

  14      (PPh~3~)AuCl      AgBF~4~     10        H~2~SO~4~ (0.5)     dioxane   46:54           32

  15      (PPh~3~)AuCl      AgBF~4~     40        H~2~SO~4~ (0.5)     dioxane   53:47           39

  16      (PPh~3~)AuNO~3~   --          20        H~2~SO~4~ (0.5)     dioxane   49:51           49

  17      IMeSAuCl          AgBF~4~     20        H~2~SO~4~ (0.5)     dioxane   54:46           60

  18      PPh~3~AuCl        --          20        H~2~SO~4~ (0.5)     dioxane   38:62           15

  19      --                AgBF~4~     20        H~2~SO~4~ (0.5)     dioxane   47:53           28

  20^d^   (PPh~3~)AuCl      AgBF~4~     20        H~2~SO~4~ (0.5)     dioxane   50:50           47

  21^e^   (PPh~3~)AuCl      AgBF~4~     20        H~2~SO~4~ (0.5)     dioxane   --              trace
  ------- ----------------- ----------- --------- ------------------- --------- --------------- -----------------------------------

^a^All reactions were carried out using **1a** (0.5 mmol), (Ph~3~P)AuCl (2 mol %), AgBF~4~ (8 mol %), and acid (0.25--1.0 mol %) in solvent (1.0 mL) and water (0.5--1.0 mmol) at 60 °C for 24 h. ^b^The ratio of **2a** and **3a** was determined by GC. ^c^Isolated and combined yield of **2a** and **3a**. ^d^ Under an atmosphere of O~2~ (1 atm). ^e^Under an atmosphere of N~2~.

In order to assess the scope of this process, we examined the oxidation of several aryallenes under the optimized conditions indicated in entry 1 of [Table 1](#T1){ref-type="table"}. The results are summarized in [Table 2](#T2){ref-type="table"}. Phenylallene gave a good isolated yield of 1-phenylpropan-1,2-dione (**2c**) and benzaldehyde (**3c**) in a ratio of 43:57 ([Table 2](#T2){ref-type="table"}, entry 3). With a more electron-donating alkoxy group, the expected products were again obtained in good yields ([Table 2](#T2){ref-type="table"}, entry 4). In addition, oxidation of arylallene with an electron-withdrawing fluoro or bromo substituent on the benzene ring also took place smoothly ([Table 2](#T2){ref-type="table"}, entries 5 and 6). Disubstituted allenes were also examined. Thus, the 1,3-disubstituted allene **1g**, was oxidized to afford α-diketone **2g** and aldehyde **3c** in 35% and 32% yields, respectively ([Table 2](#T2){ref-type="table"}, entry 7). Similarly, oxidation cleavage of 1,1-disubstituted, trisubstituted and tetrasubstituted allenes gave the expected products ([Table 2](#T2){ref-type="table"}, entries 8--10). In striking contrast to aromatic allenes, aliphatic allenes, such as hepta-1,2-diene and 1-(propa-1,2-dienyl)cyclohex-1-ene failed to undergo Au-catalyzed oxidative transformation under the same reaction conditions.

###### 

Oxidation of **1** catalyzed by a mixture of (PPh~3~)AuCl, AgBF~4~, and H~2~SO~4~.

  ------- ------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------- --------------------------------
  Entry   Allene **1**                                Product **2**                               Product **3**                               Yield (**2** and **3**) (%)^a^

                                                                                                                                              

  1       ![](Beilstein_J_Org_Chem-07-860-i001.jpg)   ![](Beilstein_J_Org_Chem-07-860-i002.jpg)   ![](Beilstein_J_Org_Chem-07-860-i003.jpg)   70 (48:52)

  2       ![](Beilstein_J_Org_Chem-07-860-i004.jpg)   ![](Beilstein_J_Org_Chem-07-860-i005.jpg)   ![](Beilstein_J_Org_Chem-07-860-i006.jpg)   72 (46:57)

  3       ![](Beilstein_J_Org_Chem-07-860-i007.jpg)   ![](Beilstein_J_Org_Chem-07-860-i008.jpg)   ![](Beilstein_J_Org_Chem-07-860-i009.jpg)   68 (43:57)

  4       ![](Beilstein_J_Org_Chem-07-860-i010.jpg)   ![](Beilstein_J_Org_Chem-07-860-i011.jpg)   ![](Beilstein_J_Org_Chem-07-860-i012.jpg)   62 (35:65)

  5       ![](Beilstein_J_Org_Chem-07-860-i013.jpg)   ![](Beilstein_J_Org_Chem-07-860-i014.jpg)   ![](Beilstein_J_Org_Chem-07-860-i015.jpg)   65 (52:48)

  6       ![](Beilstein_J_Org_Chem-07-860-i016.jpg)   ![](Beilstein_J_Org_Chem-07-860-i017.jpg)   ![](Beilstein_J_Org_Chem-07-860-i018.jpg)   67 (43:57)

  7       ![](Beilstein_J_Org_Chem-07-860-i019.jpg)   ![](Beilstein_J_Org_Chem-07-860-i020.jpg)   ![](Beilstein_J_Org_Chem-07-860-i021.jpg)   **2g**: 35\
                                                                                                                                              **3c**: 32

  8       ![](Beilstein_J_Org_Chem-07-860-i022.jpg)   ![](Beilstein_J_Org_Chem-07-860-i023.jpg)                                               84

  9       ![](Beilstein_J_Org_Chem-07-860-i024.jpg)   ![](Beilstein_J_Org_Chem-07-860-i025.jpg)   ![](Beilstein_J_Org_Chem-07-860-i026.jpg)   **2i**: 89\
                                                                                                                                              **3c**: 85

  10      ![](Beilstein_J_Org_Chem-07-860-i027.jpg)   ![](Beilstein_J_Org_Chem-07-860-i028.jpg)                                               90
  ------- ------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------- --------------------------------

^a^Isolated yield. The ratio of **2** and **3** in the parentheses was determined by GC.

Having prepared a variety of α-diketones and aldehydes successfully, we then undertook the synthesis of quinoxalines and benzimidazoles ([Scheme 2](#C2){ref-type="fig"}). Thus, the treatment of the corresponding mixture of α-diketone **2** and aldehyde **3** with benzene-1,2-diamine in the presence of 20 mol % oxalic acid afforded the desired quinoxalines **4** and benzimidazoles **5** in high yields ([Table 3](#T3){ref-type="table"}, entries 1--6).

![Preparation of quinoxalines and benzimidazoles.](Beilstein_J_Org_Chem-07-860-g003){#C2}

###### 

Preparation of quinoxalines and benzimidazoles.

  ------- -------------- ------------------------- ------------------------------------------- -------------- ------------------------------------------- --------------
  Entry   Allene **1**   Ratio (**2**: **3**)^a^   Product **4**                               Yield (%)^b^   Product **5**                               Yield (%)^b^
                                                                                                                                                          
  1       **1a**         48:52                     ![](Beilstein_J_Org_Chem-07-860-i029.jpg)   97             ![](Beilstein_J_Org_Chem-07-860-i030.jpg)   94
  2       **1b**         46:57                     ![](Beilstein_J_Org_Chem-07-860-i031.jpg)   95             ![](Beilstein_J_Org_Chem-07-860-i032.jpg)   90
  3       **1c**         43:57                     ![](Beilstein_J_Org_Chem-07-860-i033.jpg)   97             ![](Beilstein_J_Org_Chem-07-860-i034.jpg)   94
  4       **1d**         35:65                     ![](Beilstein_J_Org_Chem-07-860-i035.jpg)   90             ![](Beilstein_J_Org_Chem-07-860-i036.jpg)   92
  5       **1e**         52:48                     ![](Beilstein_J_Org_Chem-07-860-i037.jpg)   97             ![](Beilstein_J_Org_Chem-07-860-i038.jpg)   92
  6       **1f**         43:57                     ![](Beilstein_J_Org_Chem-07-860-i039.jpg)   97             ![](Beilstein_J_Org_Chem-07-860-i040.jpg)   94
  ------- -------------- ------------------------- ------------------------------------------- -------------- ------------------------------------------- --------------

^a^The ratio of **2** and **3** was determined by GC. ^b^Isolated yield.

Conclusion
==========

We have developed a new gold-catalyzed oxidation of arylallenes to give α-diketones and aldehydes in good yields. In addition, the directed synthesis of quinoxalines and benzimidazoles via the condensation of the resulting α-diketones and aldehydes with benzene-1,2-diamine was achieved in high yields. This reaction appears to proceed via oxidation/hydration and oxidative cleavage of the allene, and investigations into the mechanism of this reaction are underway in our laboratory.

Experimental
============

General methods: Unless otherwise noted, materials were obtained from commercial suppliers and used without further purification. Thin layer chromatography (TLC) was performed on silica gel 60 F~254~ and visualized with UV light. Column chromatography was performed with silica gel (mesh 300--400). ^1^H NMR and ^13^C NMR spectra were recorded on a Bruker Avance 500 MHz spectrometer in CDCl~3~ with Me~4~Si as internal standard. Data are reported as follows: Chemical shift in ppm (δ), multiplicity (s = singlet, d = doublet, t = triplet, q = quartet, br = broad and m = multiplet), coupling constant in Hertz (Hz) and signal integration. Infrared spectra (IR) were obtained on 370 FT-IR spectrometer; absorptions are reported in cm^−1^. Mass spectra were obtained under electron impact mode (EI) and high resolution mass spectra were measured on a high resolution mass spectrometer (GCT Premier).

General procedure
-----------------

Step A (a typical procedure): Sulfuric acid (0.5 mol %) was added to a mixture of 4-butylphenylallene (0.5 mmol), water (10 mmol), (PPh~3~)AuCl (2 mol %), AgBF~4~ (8 mol %), and dioxane (1 mL). The mixture was stirred at 60 °C for 24 , the reaction quenched with a saturated solution of NaHCO~3~ and extracted with ethyl acetate (3 × 10 mL). The combined organic layers were washed with brine, dried over Na~2~SO~4~ and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by flash chromatography to give the desired products **2a** and **3a** (48:52, 63.75 mg, 70%).

Step B (a typical procedure): A mixture of **2a** and **3a** (63.75 mg), benzene-1,2-diamine (28 mg, 0.259 mmol), oxalic acid (6.3 mg, 0.07 mmol, 20 mol %), water (1 mL) was dissolved in ethanol (1 mL). The mixture was heated under reflux for 4 h. The reaction was quenched with a saturated solution of NaHCO~3~ and then extracted with ethyl acetate (3 × 10 mL). The combined organic layers were washed with brine, dried over Na~2~SO~4~ and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by flash chromatography to give the desired products **4a** (45.0 mg, 97%) and **5a** (33.9 mg, 94%).

Supporting Information
======================

###### 

Analytical and spectroscopic data for new compounds.

We thank the Natural Science Foundation of China (Nos. 20672099 and 20572094) and Zhejiang Science Foundation (No. Y4100558) for financial support.
