AuX3-mediated selective head-to-head dimerization of difluoropropargyl amides.

A dimerization of difluoropropargyl amides by reaction with gold(III) halides is described. A reductive elimination of a divinylgold species can be invoked to rationalize its formation. Initial studies of the unusual reactivity of these 1,4-dihalo-1,3-dienes have been performed.