Gold(I)/Chiral N,N'-Dioxide-Nickel(II) Relay Catalysis for Asymmetric Tandem Intermolecular Hydroalkoxylation/Claisen Rearrangement.

A highly efficient asymmetric cascade reaction between alkynyl esters and allylic alcohols has been realized. Key to success was the combination of a hydroalkoxylation reaction catalyzed by a π-acidic gold(I) complex with a Claisen rearrangement catalyzed by a chiral Lewis acidic N,N'-dioxide-nickel(II) complex. A range of acyclic α-allyl β-keto esters were synthesized in high yields (up to 99 %) with good diastereoselectivities (up to 97:3) and excellent enantioselectivities (up to 99 % ee) under mild reaction conditions. These products can be easily transformed into optically active β-hydroxy esters, β-hydroxy acids, or 1,3-diols.