Gold–carbene assisted formation of tetraarylmethane derivatives: double X–H activation by gold

An efficient gold-carbene promoted generation of tetraarylmethane derivatives from enynones and indoles was accomplished by the formation of a new C-O bond and two C-C bonds. It is significant that (2-furyl) gold-carbene assisted addition of two nucleophiles resulted in the formation of tetraarylmethane derivatives with a quaternary centre in moderate to good yields in one pot.