Synthesis of Substituted Pyrrolin-4-ones from Amino Acids in Mild Conditions via a Gold-Catalyzed Approach

The gold-catalyzed cyclization of various alpha-amino-ynone derivatives gave the corresponding pyrrolin-4-ones in high yields. Moreover, the use of gold(III) oxide as catalyst allows a moderate to total stereocontrol during the cyclization. These pyrrolin-4-ones are highly useful intermediates for the synthesis of functionalized pyrrolidines and other natural products.