α,β‐Unsaturated Gold(I) Carbenes by Tandem Cyclization and 1,5‐Alkoxy Migration of 1,6‐Enynes: Mechanisms and Applications

1,6‐Enynes bearing OR groups at the propargyl position generate α,β‐unsaturated gold(I)‐carbenes/ gold(I) stabilized allyl cations that can be trapped by alkenes to form cyclopropanes or 1,3‐diketones to give products of α‐alkylation. The best migrating group is p‐nitrophenyl ether, which leads to the corresponding products without racemization. Thus, an improved formal synthesis of (+)‐schisanwilsonene A has been accomplished. The different competitive reaction pathways have been delineated computationally.