This work reports the gold-catalyzed [5 + 2]-annulations of commonly used anthranils with 1,3-diynamides, yielding quiniline oxides as the main products. Previously, these [5 + 2]-annulations were operable only for ynamides and special anthranils bearing C(6)-substituents. The preferable chemoselectivity is attributed to the electron-withdrawing effects of aryltosylamides and alkynes, increasing the electrophilicity of the less hindered α-imino gold carbenes.
![Graphical abstract: Gold-catalyzed [5 + 2]-annulations of 1,3-diyn-1-amides with anthranils bearing no C(6)-substituents](http://hg.y866.cn/compound/lib/scimg/usr/1/D1QO00026H.jpg)