Steric, Electronic and Conformational Synergistic Effects in the Gold(I)-catalyzed α-C-H Bond Functionalization of Tertiary Amines

Direct C-H bond functionalization is a useful strategy for the straightforward formation of C-C and C-Heteroatom bonds. In the present work, a unique approach for the challenging electrophilic Au-catalyzed α-C-H bond functionalization of tertiary amines is presented. Electronic, steric and conformational synergistic effects exerted by the use of a malonate unit in the substrate were key to the success of this transformation. This new reactivity was applied to the synthesis of tetrahydro-γ-carboline products which, under oxidative conditions, could be converted into valuable structural motifs found in bioactive alkaloid natural products.

Gold N-Heterocyclic Carbene Catalysts for the Hydrofluorination of Alkynes Using Hydrofluoric Acid: Reaction Scope, Mechanistic Studies and the Tracking of Elusive Intermediates

An efficient and chemoselective methodology deploying gold-N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) complexes as catalysts in the hydrofluorination of terminal alkynes using aqueous HF has been developed. Mechanistic studies shed light on an in situ generated catalyst, formed by the reaction of Brønsted basic gold pre-catalysts with HF in water, which exhibits the highest reactivity and chemoselectivity. The catalytic system has a wide alkyl substituted-substrate scope, and stoichiometric as well as catalytic reactions with tailor-designed gold pre-catalysts enable the identification of various gold species involved along the catalytic cycle. Computational studies aid in understanding the chemoselectivity observed through examination of key mechanistic steps for phosphine- and NHC-coordinated gold species bearing the triflate counterion and the elusive key complex bearing a bifluoride counterion.

Catalytic Gold Chemistry: From Simple Salts to Complexes for Regioselective C-H Bond Functionalization

Gold coordinated to neutral phosphines (R₃ P), N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) or anionic ligands is catalytically active in functionalizing various C-H bonds with high selectivity. The sterics/electronic nature of the studied C-H bond, oxidation state of gold and stereoelectronic capacity of the coordinated auxiliary ligand are some of the associated selectivity factors in gold-catalyzed C-H bond functionalization reactions. Hence, in this review a comprehensive update about the action of different types of gold catalysts, from simple to sophisticated ones, on C-H bond reactions and their regiochemical outcome is disclosed. This review also highlights the catalytic applications of Au(I)- and Au(III)-species in creating new opportunities for the regio- and site-selective activation of challenging C-H bonds. Finally, it also intends to stress the potential applications in selective C-H bond activation associated with a variety of heterocycles recently described in the literature.

Gold-Catalyzed Annulation of 1,8-Dialkynylnaphthalenes: Synthesis and Photoelectric Properties of Indenophenalene-Based Derivatives

A simple gold-catalyzed annulation of 1,8-dialkynylnaphthalenes utilizing a cationic gold catalyst was developed. Such a peri-position of two alkynyl substituents has not been studied in gold catalysis before. Dependent on the substrate, the reactions either follow a mechanism involving vinyl cation intermediates or involve a dual gold catalysis mechanism which in an initial 6-endo-dig-cyclization generates gold(I) vinylidene intermediates that are able to insert into C-H bonds. Indenophenalene derivatives were obtained in moderate to high yields. In addition, the bidirectional gold-catalyzed annulation of tetraynes provided even larger conjugated π-systems. The optoelectronic properties of the products were also investigated.

Structural Characterization and Lifetimes of Triple-Stranded Helical Coinage Metal Complexes: Synthesis, Spectroscopy and Quantum Chemical Calculations

This work reports on a series of polynuclear complexes containing a trinuclear Cu, Ag, or Au core in combination with the fac-isomer of the metalloligand [Ru(pypzH)3 ](PF6 )2 (pypzH=3-(pyridin-2-yl)pyrazole). These (in case of the Ag and Au containing species) newly synthesized compounds of the general formula [{Ru(pypz)3 }2 M3 ](PF6 ) (2: M=Cu; 3: M=Ag; 4: M=Au) contain triple-stranded helical structures in which two ruthenium moieties are connected by three N-M-N (M=Cu, Ag, Au) bridges. In order to obtain a detailed description of the structure both in the electronic ground and excited states, extensive spectroscopic and quantum chemical calculations are applied. The equilateral coinage metal core triangle in the electronic ground state of 2-4 is distorted in the triplet state. Furthermore, the analyses offer a detailed description of electronic excitations. By using time-resolved IR spectroscopy from the microsecond down to the nanosecond regime, both the vibrational spectra and the lifetime of the lowest lying electronically excited triplet state can be determined. The lifetimes of these almost only non-radiative triplet states of 2-4 show an unusual effect in a way that the Au-containing complex 4 has a lifetime which is by more than a factor of five longer than in case of the Cu complex 2. Thus, the coinage metals have a significant effect on the electronically excited state, which is localized on a pypz ligand coordinated to the Ru atom indicating an unusual cooperative effect between two moieties of the complex.

Yldiide Ligands as Building Blocks for Polynuclear Coinage Metal Complexes: Metal Squares, Triangles and Chains

Yldiides have unique electronic properties and donor abilities, but as ligands in transition metal complexes they are scarcely represented in the literature. Here, the controlled synthesis of a series of polynuclear gold yldiide complexes derived from triphenyl(cyanomethyl)phosphonium bromide, [Ph₃ PCH₂ CN]Br, under mild conditions is described. Anionic dinuclear NBu₄ [(AuX)₂ {C(CN)PPh₃ }] (X=Cl, C₆ F₅ ) or trinuclear derivatives NBu₄ [Au₃ X₂ {C(CN)PPh₃ }] bearing terminal chloride or pentafluorophenyl groups and bridging yldiide ligands have been prepared. These compounds evolve in solution giving rise to the formation of an unprecedented tetrameric gold cluster, [Au₄ {C(CN)PPh₃ }₄ ], by the loss of the gold complex NBu₄ [AuX₂ ]. This gold cluster can also be prepared in high yield by a transmetalation reaction from the analogous tetrameric silver cluster, and two geometric isomers have been characterised, their formation dependent on the synthetic route. The triphenylphosphonium cyanomethyldiide ligand has also been used to build different dinuclear and trinuclear cationic complexes bearing phosphine or diphosphine ancillary ligands and bridging yldiide moieties. Further coordination through the cyano group of the yldiide ligand gives heterometallic trinuclear or pentanuclear derivatives. Structural characterisation of many of these compounds reveals the presence of complex molecular systems stabilised by gold⋅⋅⋅gold interactions and bridging yldiide ligands.

Dual Gold-Catalyzed Formal Tetradehydro-Diels-Alder Reactions for the Synthesis of Carbazoles and Indolines

This work reports a dual gold-catalyzed tetradehydro-Diels-Alder reaction for the synthesis of nitrogen-containing aromatic heterocycles. Under the catalytic system (IPrAuNTf₂ /DIPEA), indolines and carbazoles as well as other N-containing aromatic heterocycles were prepared in high yields with good functional group tolerance. Unlike the traditional thermal tetradehydro-Diels-Alder reactions, diluted reaction concentration and radical prohibitors are not required for this protocol. Experimental data support a mechanism involving gold vinylidene species, which undergoes a 6 π electrocyclization, followed with 1,2-hydrogen shift.

Gold-Catalyzed Formal Dehydro-Diels-Alder Reactions of Ene-Ynamide Derivatives Bearing Terminal Alkyne Chains: Scope and Mechanistic Studies

A new protocol for the synthesis of a variety of N-containing aromatic heterocycles by a formal gold-catalyzed dehydro-Diels-Alder reaction of ynamide derivatives has been developed. Deuterium-labeling experiments and kinetic studies support the involvement of a dual gold catalysis mechanism in which a gold acetylide moiety adds onto an aurated keteneiminium.

Different Selectivities in the Insertions into C(sp2 )-H Bonds: Benzofulvenes by Dual Gold Catalysis Competition Experiments

An unprecedented, often almost quantitative access to tricyclic aromatic compounds by dual gold catalysis was developed. This synthetic route expands the scope of benzofulvene derivatives through a C(sp² )-H bond insertion in easily available starting materials. The insertion takes place with an exclusive chemoselectivity with respect to the competing aromatic C-H positions. A bidirectional synthesis with two competing ortho-aryl C-H bonds in the selectivity-determining step also shows perfect selectivity; this result is explained by a computational investigation of the two conceivable intermediates. The intramolecular competition of two non-equivalent aryl C-H bonds with a benzylic methyl group also showed perfect selectivity.

Direct Evidence for the Origin of Bis-Gold Intermediates: Probing Gold Catalysis with Mass Spectrometry

Gold-catalyzed alkyne hydration was studied by using in situ reacting mass spectrometry (MS) technology. By monitoring the reaction process in solution under different conditions (regular and very diluted catalyst concentrations, different pH values) and examining the reaction occurrence in the early reaction stage (1-2 ms after mixing) with MS, we collected a series of experimental evidence to support that the bis-gold complex is a potential key reaction intermediate. Furthermore, both experimental and computational studies confirmed that the σ,π-bis-gold complexes are not active intermediates toward nucleophilic addition. Instead, formation of geminally diaurated complex C is crucial for this catalytic process.

A Golden Access to Acenopentalenes

By employing gold catalysis, starting from dialkynylated acenes a series of novel un-symmetrical aceno-annulated dibenzopentalenes has been prepared. The achieved yields range from 62-68 %. The fused systems contain naphthalene, anthracene, tetracene, and pentacene units. All new compounds are soluble and stable under standard conditions. The optical properties of the systems are dominated by the dibenzopentalene core for the smaller representatives, while for the anthracene-pentacene-based aceno-benzopentalenes the optical properties of the acene group dominates. Preliminary morphology tests on thin films showed a reverse trend between crystal size and molecule size.

C(sp3 )-H Bond Activation by Vinylidene Gold(I) Complexes: A Concerted Asynchronous or Stepwise Process?

A detailed analysis of the C(sp³ )-H activation process by vinylidene Au^I complexes is described based on an intrinsic bond orbital analysis. Based on our analysis this event can be divided into three phases: (i) hydride transfer, (ii) C-C bond formation, and (iii) σ to π rearrangement of the lone pair coordinated to Au. Small perturbations of the system lead to either a concerted asynchronous reaction, or a stepwise reaction featuring an intermediate with a C-H-C three-centre two-electron (3c-2e) bond. The role of π-donating substituents is highlighted and provides a way of controlling reactions of this type in future experimental studies.

On the Gold-Catalyzed Generation of Vinyl Cations from 1,5-Diynes

Conjugated 1,5-diynes bearing two aromatic units at the alkyne termini were converted in the presence of a gold catalyst. Under mild conditions, aryl-substituted dibenzopentalenes were generated. Calculations predict that aurated vinyl cations are key intermediates of the reaction. A bidirectional approach provided selective access to the angular annulated product in high yield, which was explained by calculations.

Preparation of Tremorine and Gemini Surfactant Precursors with Cationic Ethynyl-Bridged Digold Catalysts

Tremorine and precursors of gemini surfactants were synthesised in a one-pot, three-step, double-catalytic A³ coupling reaction and characterised by structural and spectroscopic methods. The cationic [Au^I (L1)]SbF₆ complex is a more active catalyst compared to neutral L2- and L3-Au^I bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imidate complexes (L1, L2=Buchwald-type biaryl phosphane; L3=triphenylphosphine) in promoting the double A³ coupling of ethynyltrimethylsilane, secondary amines (cyclic, aliphatic, or aromatic) and formaldehyde. The solvent influences the catalytic performance by desilylation of silyl acetylene or deactivation of the catalyst by a halide anion. Acetylide-bridged cationic digold(I) L1 and L2 complexes were isolated and characterised by means of single-crystal X-ray structure analysis and their spectroscopic properties. Iodine in the acetylene reagent deactivates the Au^I catalyst by formation of the less active iodido-bridged cationic digold(I) L1 complex, which was fully characterised by single-crystal X-ray crystal structure analysis and spectroscopy. The nature of the phosphine ligand of the gold complexes used as catalyst affects the stability and activity of the formed cationic ethynyl-bridged Au^I₂ -L intermediates, isolation of which lends support to the proposed double A³ coupling mechanism.

Gold(I) Vinylidene Complexes as Reactive Intermediates and Their Tendency to π-Backbond

We herein report a computational study of the bonding in gold(I) vinylidene complexes and compare them to their carbene and CO analogues. The relevance of these intermediates is analysed for the intramolecular cyclisation leading to vinyl sulfonates.

Methyl-, Ethenyl-, and Ethynyl-Bridged Cationic Digold Complexes Stabilized by Coordination to a Bulky Terphenylphosphine Ligand

Reactions of the gold(I) triflimide complex [Au(NTf2 )(PMe2 Ar${{^{{\rm Dipp}{_{2}}}}}$)] (1) with the gold(I) hydrocarbyl species [AuR(PMe2 Ar${{^{{\rm Dipp}{_{2}}}}}$)] (2 a-2 c) enable the isolation of hydrocarbyl-bridged cationic digold complexes with the general composition [Au2 (μ-R)(PMe2 Ar${{^{{\rm Dipp}{_{2}}}}}$)2 ][NTf2 ], where Ar${{^{{\rm Dipp}{_{2}}}}}$=C6 H3 -2,6-(C6 H3 -2,6-iPr2 )2 and R=Me (3), CHCH2 (4), or CCH (5). Compound 3 is the first alkyl-bridged digold complex to be reported and features a symmetric [Au(μ-CH3 )Au](+) core. Complexes 4 and 5 are the first species of their kind that contain simple, unsubstituted vinyl and acetylide units, respectively. In the series of complexes 3-5, the bridging carbon atom systematically changes its hybridization from sp(3) to sp(2) and sp. Concomitant with this change, and owing to variations in the nature of the bonding within the [Au(μ-R)Au](+) unit, there is a gradual decrease in aurophilicity, that is, the strength of the Au⋅⋅⋅Au bonding interaction decreases. This change is illustrated by a monotonic increase in the Au-Au distance by approximately 0.3 Å from R=CH3 (2.71 Å) to CHCH2 (3.07 Å) and CCH (3.31 Å).