For many years, gold was considered inactive to catalyze organic transformations. In the last two decades, gold(I/III) complexes have emerged as efficient catalyst for the formation of C−O, C−N and C−C bonds. In particular, monomeric organogold complexes whose binding affinity for alkenes, allenes and alkynes opened new directions in organic synthesis. More recently, dimeric gold species were used as photocatalyst in light‐enabling processes. Taking advantage of the gold unique reactivity, we describe the development of novel transformations catalyzed by gold and their applications in the synthesis of natural products.

A nine-step stereoselective formal synthesis of (±)-morphine from readily available o-vanillin is presented. The carbocyclic structure of morphine was quickly assembled through an orchestration of the intermolecular Diels−Alder/ Claisen/Friedel−Crafts sequential reaction. This approach involves many one-pot procedures and no protecting groups, and only a few chromatographic purifications are required.

No abstract