Direct Observation of Aryl Gold(I) Carbenes that Undergo Cyclopropanation, C-H Insertion, and Dimerization Reactions

Mesityl gold(I) carbenes lacking heteroatom stabilization or shielding ancillary ligands have been generated and spectroscopically characterized from chloro(mesityl)methylgold(I) carbenoids bearing JohnPhos-type ligands by chloride abstraction with GaCl3 . The aryl carbenes react with PPh3 and alkenes to give stable phosphonium ylides and cyclopropanes, respectively. Oxidation with pyridine N-oxide and intermolecular C-H insertion to cyclohexane have also been observed. In the absence of nucleophiles, a bimolecular reaction, similar to that observed for other metal carbenes, leads to a symmetrical alkene.

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.

Gold carbene or carbenoid: is there a difference?

By reviewing the recent progress on the elucidation of the structure of gold carbenes and the definitions of metal carbenes and carbenoids, we recommend to use the term gold carbene to describe gold carbene-like intermediates, regardless of whether the carbene or carbocation extreme resonance dominates. Gold carbenes, because of the weak metal-to-carbene π-back-donation and their strongly electrophilic reactivity, could be classified into the broader family of Fischer carbenes, although their behavior and properties are very specific.

Structure of a reactive gold carbenoid

A formal gold-for-chromium transmetalation allowed the gold carbenoid species [Cy3 PAuCAr2 ]NTf2 (11) (Ar=pMeOC6 H4 -) to be obtained in crystalline form. The structure in the solid state suggests that there is only little back donation of electron density from gold to the carbene center of 11 and hence very modest AuC double-bond character; rather, it is the organic ligand framework that is responsible for stabilizing this species by resonance delocalization of the accumulated positive charge. Because 11 is capable of cyclopropanating p-methoxystyrene even at low temperature, the discussion of its structure is deemed relevant for a better understanding of the mechanisms of π-acid catalysis in general.