Gold-Catalyzed Cascade Cyclization of (Azido)ynamides: An Efficient Strategy for the Construction of Indoloquinolines

(Azido)ynamides were efficiently converted into indoloquinolines by the use of a gold catalyst. While ynamides bearing an allylsilane gave terminal alkenes, ynamides bearing a simple alkene gave cyclopropanes. This reaction proceeds through the formation of an α-amidino gold carbenoid.