(Azido)ynamides were efficiently converted into indoloquinolines by the use of a gold catalyst. While ynamides bearing an allylsilane gave terminal alkenes, ynamides bearing a simple alkene gave cyclopropanes. This reaction proceeds through the formation of an alpha-amidino gold carbenoid.
The scope and limitations of the organolithium-mediated conversion of (3-methoxy N-tosyl aziridines derived from acyclic allylic alcohols into substituted allylic sulfonamides are described.