Abstract: | A novel method that involves intramolecular annulation and a new type of rearrangement has been developed for the synthesis of 4‐aryl‐2(5H)‐furanones. A variety of prop‐2‐ynyl 3‐oxo‐3‐phenylpropanoates undergo annulation cyclization in the presence of chloro(triphenylphosphine)gold and trifluoromethanesulfonic to afford the desired products in moderate to high yields. |