Gold Catalyzed Hydroamination of Propargylic Alcohols: Controlling Divergent Reaction Pathways to Access 1,3-Aminoalcohols, 3-Hydroxyketones or 3-Aminoketones

A versatile approach to the valorization of propargylic alcohols is reported, enabling controlled access to three different products from the same starting materials. Firstly, a general method for the hydroamination of propargylic alcohols with anilines is described using gold catalysis to give 3-hydroxy imines with complete regioselectivity. These 3-hydroxyimines can be reduced to give 1,3-aminoalcohols with high syn seletivity. Alternatively, by using a catalytic quantity of aniline, 3-hydroxyketones can be obtained in high yield directly from propargylic alcohols. Further manipulation of the reaction conditions enables the selective formation of 3-aminoketones via a rearrangement/hydroamination pathway.