Generation of α-Imino Gold Carbenes Through Gold-Catalyzed Intermolecular Reaction of Azides with Ynamides.

The title reaction of ynamides of type (I), (IV), and (VI) with benzylic azides (II) offers a highly regioselective access to 2-aminoindoles (III) and (V). Indolylmethyl derived azides (VI) and (IX) give 3-amino-β-carbolines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]