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.

Enantioselective C-H Functionalization Reactions under Gold Catalysis

Transition metal-catalyzed enantioselective functionalization of ubiquitous C-H bonds has proven to be promising field as it offers the construction of chiral molecular complexity in a step- and atom-economical manner. In recent years, gold has emerged as an attractive contender for catalyzing such reactions. The unique reactivities and selectivities offered by gold catalysts have been exploited to access numerous asymmetric transformations based on gold-catalyzed C-H functionalization processes. Herein, this review critically highlights the major advances and discoveries made in the enantioselective C-H functionalization under gold catalysis which is accompanied by mechanistic insights at appropriate places.

Divergent C-H Insertion-Cyclization Cascades of N-Allyl Ynamides

Gold carbene reactivity patterns were accessed by ynamide insertion into a C(sp(3) )H bond. A substantial increase in molecular complexity occurred through the cascade polycyclization of N-allyl ynamides to form fused nitrogen-heterocycle scaffolds. Exquisite selectivity was observed despite several competing pathways in an efficient gold-catalyzed synthesis of densely functionalized C(sp(3) )-rich polycycles and a copper-catalyzed synthesis of fused pyridine derivatives. The respective gold-keteniminium and ketenimine activation pathways have been explored through a structure-reactivity study, and isotopic labeling identified turnover-limiting CH bond-cleavage in both processes.

Expanded-ring N-heterocyclic carbenes for the stabilization of highly electrophilic gold(I) cations

Strategies for the synthesis of highly electrophilic Au(I) complexes from either hydride- or chloride-containing precursors have been investigated by employing sterically encumbered Dipp-substituted expanded-ring NHCs (Dipp=2,6-iPr2 C6 H3 ). Thus, complexes of the type (NHC)AuH have been synthesised (for NHC=6-Dipp or 7-Dipp) and shown to feature significantly more electron-rich hydrides than those based on ancillary imidazolylidene donors. This finding is consistent with the stronger σ-donor character of these NHCs, and allows for protonation of the hydride ligand. Such chemistry leads to the loss of dihydrogen and to the trapping of the [(NHC)Au](+) fragment within a dinuclear gold cation containing a bridging hydride. Activation of the hydride ligand in (NHC)AuH by B(C6 F5 )3 , by contrast, generates a species (at low temperatures) featuring a [HB(C6 F5 )3 ](-) fragment with spectroscopic signatures similar to the "free" borate anion. Subsequent rearrangement involves BC bond cleavage and aryl transfer to the carbophilic metal centre. Under halide abstraction conditions utilizing Na[BAr(f) 4 ] (Ar(f) =C6 H3 (CF3 )2 -3,5), systems of the type [(NHC)AuCl] (NHC=6-Dipp or 7-Dipp) generate dinuclear complexes [{(NHC)Au}2 (μ-Cl)](+) that are still electrophilic enough at gold to induce aryl abstraction from the [BAr(f) 4 ](-) counterion.

Synthesis of (spiro)cyclopentapyridinones via C(sp3)-H functionalization: a post-Ugi gold-catalyzed regioselective tandem cyclization

A gold-catalyzed regioselective tandem cyclization of N-propynylbutynamide via Csp(3)-H functionalization has been described, providing a distinctive methodology for the architecture of cyclopentapyridinones as well as spirocyclopentapyridinones.

Mechanistic switch in dual gold catalysis of diynes: C(sp(3))-H activation through bifurcation--vinylidene versus carbene pathways

The other side of the mountain: Changing the framework of diyne systems opens up new cyclization modes for dual gold catalysis. Instead of a 5-endo cyclization and gold vinylidenes a 6-endo cyclization gives rise to gold-stabilized carbenes as key intermediates for selective C-H insertions.