The missing l(r)ink(g): a series of densely substituted 2,3-cyclobutane-fused indolines is obtained in a highly stereocontrolled manner via enantioselective [Au(i)]-catalyzed formal [2+2]-cycloaddition reactions between indoles and allenamides.

A reliable synthetic route to fused polycyclic indolines is documented by the development of a stereoselective gold catalyzed cascade cyclization of indole propargylic alcohols.