Propargylic glycols, 2-alkynyl-1-(indol-3-yl)-1,2-diols, react with thiols undergoing a complex but
selective gold-catalyzed transformation that gives rise to α-indol-3-yl α-((Z)-2-thioalkenyl) ketones. The
sequence is triggered by the regioselective thiolation of indolyl diols followed by an attack of the sulfur instead
of the indole over the activated alkyne. The final compounds are obtained in remarkably high yields and arise
from simple starting materials such as indolyl acyloins, ethynyl magnesium bromide and thiols.
