Table 1. Reaction optimization using anisole ^a .

Entry	Catalyst b	Solvent c	Temperature (time)	Yield d (%)
				3aA	2aA
1	Ph3PAuCl/AgSbF6	DCE	80 °C (44 h)	0	0
2	IPrAuNTf2	DCE	80 °C (24 h)	0	36
3	XPhosAuCl/AgNTf2	DCE	80 °C (21 h)	0	57
4	BrettPhosAu(MeCN)SbF6	DCE	80 °C (30 h)	0	65
5	JohnPhosAu(MeCN)SbF6	DCE	80 °C (26 h)	44	26
6	JohnPhosAu(MeCN)SbF6	Benzene	80 °C (10 h)	0	78
7	JohnPhosAu(MeCN)SbF6	Propan-2-ol	80 °C (10 h)	0	63
8	JohnPhosAu(MeCN)SbF6	1,4-Dioxane	80 °C (10 h)	0	87
9	JohnPhosAu(MeCN)SbF6	TCE	140 °C (13 h)	55	0
10	JohnPhosAu(MeCN)SbF 6	TCE (condition A)	80 °C (1 h), 140 °C (16 h)	75	0
11	BrettPhosAu(MeCN)SbF6	Anisole	80 °C (15 h)	13	28
12	BrettPhosAu(MeCN)SbF 6	Anisole (condition B)	140 °C (19.5 h)	86	0

^aReactions were carried out using 1a (1 equiv.), 8A (10 equiv.), and the gold catalyst (5 mol%).

^bThe ligand structures are shown in Fig. 2. BrettPhosAu(MeCN)SbF₆, JohnPhosAu(MeCN)SbF₆, and IPrAuNTf₂ were prepared in advance. The other catalysts were prepared in situ by mixing the AuCl ligand with AgNTf₂ or AgSbF₆.

^cDCE = 1,2-dichloroethane, TCE = 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane.

^dIsolated yields.