A new [3 + 2 + 1] cycloaddition strategy is demonstrated using an aldehyde, an aldimine of a glycine ester and a terminal triple bond with AuCl3 catalyst. Aldehyde is exploited as the first alternative to the crucial partner CO for triple C-C coupled annulation for the synthesis of novel fused-tricyclic heterocycles. © 2014 The Royal Society of Chemistry.