Gold(I)‐Catalyzed Divergence in the Preparation of Bicyclic Enol Esters: From Exclusively [3C+2C]‐Cycloaddition Reactions to Exclusive Formation of Vinylcyclopropanes

With the use of benzonitrile‐stabilized Au^I catalyst [Au(IPr)(NCPh)]SbF₆ ( Ic ; IPr=1,3‐bis(2,6‐diisopropylphenyl)imidazol‐2‐ylidene), a spectrum of reactivity is observed for propargyl ester 4 a with cyclic vinyl ethers, ranging from exclusively [3C+2C] cycloaddition reactions to exclusively cyclopropanation depending only on the structure of the substrate. Some initially formed cyclopropanation products rearrange into the corresponding formally [3C+2C] cycloaddition products after treatment with fresh Au^I complex at 80 °C. Vinylcyclopropanes formed from dihydrofuran and dihydropyran resisted such rearrangement, even in the presence of fresh Au^I catalyst at elevated temperature. This study addresses an important mechanistic question concerning whether the five‐membered‐ring products were produced by a direct [3C+2C] cycloaddition reaction or by a sequential cyclopropanation/ring‐expansion reaction. A dual pathway is proposed for the Au^I‐catalyzed reactions between propargyl esters and cyclic vinyl ethers. The different behavior among vinyl cyclic ethers is attributed to the difference in the polarization of the π bond. Highly polarized bonds appear to undergo the cycloaddition reaction whereas less polar π‐bonds produce cyclopropanes.     

Facile Synthesis of Gold Icosahedra in an Aqueous Solution by Reacting HAuCl4 with N‐Vinyl Pyrrolidone

Herein we describe a protocol that generates Au icosahedra in high yields by simply mixing aqueous solutions of HAuCl₄ and N‐vinyl pyrrolidone. Our mechanistic study reveals that water plays an important role in this synthesis: as a nucleophile, it attacks the gold–vinyl complex, leading to the production of an alcohol‐based Au^I intermediate. This intermediate then undergoes a redox reaction in which Au^I is reduced to Au⁰, leading to the formation of Au atoms and then Au icosahedra of about 18 nm in size at a yield of 94 %, together with a carboxylic acid in the final product. This new protocol has also been employed to prepare multiply twinned nanoparticles of Ag (15–20 nm in size), spherical aggregates (25–30 nm in size) of Pd nanoparticles, and very small nanoparticles of Pt (2 nm in size). Since no organic solvent, surfactant, or polymer stabilizer is needed for all these syntheses, this protocol may provide a simple, versatile, and environmentally benign route to noble‐metal nanoparticles having various compositions and morphologies.     

A Stimuli‐Responsive Rotaxane–Gold Catalyst: Regulation of Activity and Diastereoselectivity

A rotaxane‐based Au catalyst was developed and the effect of the mechanical bond on its behavior was studied. Unlike the non‐interlocked thread, the rotaxane requires a catalytically innocent cofactor, the identity of which significantly influences both the yield and diastereoselectivity of the reaction. Under optimized conditions, Au^I (the catalyst), Ag^I (to abstract the Cl^? ligand), and Cu^I (the cofactor) combine to produce a catalyst with excellent activity and selectivity.     

1,3‐O‐Transposition or Trisubstituted Z‐Enol Ester? A Comparative Study of Reactions of Ynones

Ynones are useful substrates for transition‐metal‐mediated synthesis. The Au^I‐catalyzed 1,3‐O‐transposition is an important reaction of ynones. Recently, an efficient Cu^I‐catalyzed synthesis of trisubstituted Z‐enol esters via interrupting the traditional 1,3‐O‐transposition reaction of ynones was reported by Zhu's group. Herein, density functional theory studies disclosed that the hydrogen bond formed by carboxylic acid plays an important role for the reactivity and selectivity in this novel reaction. A qualitative rule was also found to explain the substituent effect in the ynone substrate, and this is consistent with experiments. The Au^I‐catalyst and Cu^I‐catalyst were further compared to interpret the essential cause of why the Au^I‐catalyst prefers the 1,3‐O‐transpostion reaction. These conclusions might be helpful for the rational design of reactions of ynones.     

Competitive Gold‐Promoted Meyer–Schuster and oxy‐Cope Rearrangements of 3‐Acyloxy‐1,5‐enynes: Selective Catalysis for the Synthesis of (+)‐(S)‐γ‐Ionone and (−)‐(2S,6 R)‐cis‐γ‐Irone

We report a simple, highly stereoselective synthesis of (+)‐(S)‐γ‐ionone and (‐)‐(2S,6R)‐cis‐γ‐irone, two characteristic and precious odorants; the latter compound is a constituent of the essential oil obtained from iris rhizomes. Of general interest in this approach are the photoisomerization of an endo trisubstituted cyclohexene double bond to an exo vinyl group and the installation of the enone side chain through a [(NHC)Au^I]‐catalyzed Meyer–Schuster‐like rearrangement. This required a careful investigation of the mechanism of the gold‐catalyzed reaction and a judicious selection of reaction conditions. In fact, it was found that the Meyer–Schuster reaction may compete with the oxy‐Cope rearrangement. Gold‐based catalytic systems can promote either reaction selectively. In the present system, the mononuclear gold complex [Au(IPr)Cl], in combination with the silver salt AgSbF₆ in 100:1 butan‐2‐one/H₂O, proved to efficiently promote the Meyer–Schuster rearrangement of propargylic benzoates, whereas the digold catalyst [{Au(IPr)}₂(μ‐OH)][BF₄] in anhydrous dichloromethane selectively promoted the oxy‐Cope rearrangement of propargylic alcohols.     

Metal–Metal Interactions in Heterobimetallic Complexes with Dinucleating Redox‐Active Ligands

The tuning of metal–metal interactions in multinuclear assemblies is a challenge. Selective P coordination of a redox‐active PNO ligand to Au^I followed by homoleptic metalation of the NO pocket with Ni^II affords a unique trinuclear Au–Ni–Au complex. This species features two antiferromagnetically coupled ligand‐centered radicals and a double intramolecular d⁸–d¹⁰ interaction, as supported by spectroscopic, single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction, and computational data. A corresponding cationic dinuclear Au–Ni analogue with a stronger d⁸–d¹⁰ interaction is also reported. Although both heterobimetallic structures display rich electrochemistry, only the trinuclear Au–Ni–Au complex facilitates electrocatalytic C?X bond activation of alkyl halides in its doubly reduced state. Hence, the presence of a redox‐active ligand framework, an available coordination site at gold, and the nature of the nickel–gold interaction appear to be essential for this reactivity.     

Gold‐Catalyzed Fluorination–Hydration: Synthesis of α‐Fluorobenzofuranones from 2‐Alkynylphenol Derivatives

The Au^I‐catalyzed fluorination–hydration of 2‐alkynylphenol derivatives in the presence of Selectfluor [1‐chloromethyl‐4‐fluoro‐1,4‐diazoniabicyclo‐[2.2.2]octane bis(tetrafluoroborate)] has been developed. This method provides straightforward access to α‐fluorobenzofuranones with the construction of C?O, C=O, and C?F bonds in a single step on the basis of an Au^I/Au^III redox catalytic cycle. Several control experiments, including the asymmetric variant of this reaction, were also conducted to gain insight into the reaction mechanism.     

Facilitating Gold Redox Catalysis with Electrochemistry: An Efficient Chemical‐Oxidant‐Free Approach

Due to the high oxidation potential between Au^I and Au^III, gold redox catalysis requires at least stoichiometric amounts of a strong oxidant. We herein report the first example of an electrochemical approach in promoting gold‐catalyzed oxidative coupling of terminal alkynes. Oxidation of Au^I to Au^III was successfully achieved through anode oxidation, which enabled facile access to either symmetrical or unsymmetrical conjugated diynes through homo‐coupling or cross‐coupling. This report extends the reaction scope of this transformation to substrates that are not compatible with strong chemical oxidants and potentiates the versatility of gold redox chemistry through the utilization of electrochemical oxidative conditions.     

Well‐Defined Dinuclear Gold Complexes for Preorganization‐Induced Selective Dual Gold Catalysis

The synthesis, reactivity, and potential of well‐defined dinuclear gold complexes as precursors for dual gold catalysis are explored. Using the preorganizing abilities of the ditopic PN^HP^iPr ( L^H ) ligand, dinuclear Au^I–Au^I complex 1 and mixed‐valent Au^I–Au^III complex 2 provide access to structurally characterized chlorido‐bridged cationic species 3 and 4 upon halide abstraction. For 2 , this transformation involves unprecedented two‐electron oxidation of the redox‐active ligand, generating a highly rigidified environment for the Au₂ core. Facile reaction with phenylacetylene affords the σ,π‐activated phenylacetylide complex 5 . When applied in the dual gold heterocycloaddition of a urea‐functionalized alkyne, well‐defined precatalyst 3 provides high regioselectivities for the anti‐Markovnikov product, even at low catalyst loadings, and outperforms common mononuclear Au^I systems. This proof‐of‐concept demonstrates the benefit of preorganization of two gold centers to enforce selective non‐classical σ,π‐activation with bifunctional substrates.     

Mechanochemical Rhodium(III)‐ and Gold(I)‐Catalyzed C−H Bond Alkynylations of Indoles under Solventless Conditions in Mixer Mills

Mechanochemical activations in Rh^III‐ and Au^I‐catalyzed C?H alkynylations lead selectively to C₂‐ and C₃‐alkynylated indoles. The processes show excellent functional group tolerance, do not require additional heating and proceed under solventless conditions. Compared to solvent‐based standard protocols, the reaction times are shorter and the catalyst quantities lower resulting in high product yields under ambient atmosphere in mixer mills.     

Gold(I)‐Catalyzed Enantioselective Intermolecular Hydroarylation of Allenes with Indoles and Reaction Mechanism by Density Functional Theory Calculations

Chiral binuclear gold(I) phosphine complexes catalyze enantioselective intermolecular hydroarylation of allenes with indoles in high product yields (up to 90 %) and with moderate enantioselectivities (up to 63 % ee). Among the gold(I) complexes examined, better ee values were obtained with binuclear gold(I) complexes, which displayed intramolecular Au^I Au^I interactions. The binuclear gold(I) complex 4c [(AuCl)₂( L3 )] with chiral biaryl phosphine ligand (S)‐(−)‐MeO‐biphep ( L3 ) is the most efficient catalyst and gives the best ee value of up to 63 %. Substituents on the allene reactants have a slight effect on the enantioselectivity of the reaction. Electron‐withdrawing groups on the indole substrates decrease the enantioselectivity of the reaction. The relative reaction rates of the hydroarylation of 4‐X‐substituted 1,3‐diarylallenes with N‐methylindole in the presence of catalyst 4c [(AuCl)₂( L3 )] / AgOTf [ L3 =(S)‐(−)‐MeO‐biphep], determined through competition experiments, correlate (r²=0.996) with the substituent constants σ. The slope value is −2.30, revealing both the build‐up of positive charge at the allene and electrophilic nature of the reactive Au^I species. Two plausible reaction pathways were investigated by density functional theory calculations, one pathway involving intermolecular nucleophilic addition of free indole to aurated allene intermediate and another pathway involving intramolecular nucleophilic addition of aurated indole to allene via diaurated intermediate E2 . Calculated results revealed that the reaction likely proceeds via the first pathway with a lower activation energy. The role of Au^I Au^I interactions in affecting the enantioselectivity is discussed.     

Unusual Metal–Metal Bonding in a Dinuclear Pt–Au Complex: Snapshot of a Transmetalation Process

The dinuclear Pt–Au complex [(CNC)(PPh₃)Pt Au(PPh₃)](ClO₄) ( 2 ) (CNC=2,6‐diphenylpyridinate) was prepared. Its crystal structure shows a rare metal–metal bonding situation, with very short Pt–Au and Au–C_ipso(CNC) distances and dissimilar Pt–C_ipso(CNC) bonds. Multinuclear NMR spectra of 2 show the persistence of the Pt–Au bond in solution and the occurrence of unusual fluxional behavior involving the [Pt^II] and [Au^I] metal fragments. The [Pt^II]??? [Au^I] interaction has been thoroughly studied by means of DFT calculations. The observed bonding situation in 2 can be regarded as a model for an intermediate in a transmetalation process.     

Photosensitizer‐Free Visible‐Light‐Mediated Gold‐Catalyzed 1,2‐Difunctionalization of Alkynes

Under visible‐light irradiation, the gold‐catalyzed intermolecular difunctionalization of alkynes with aryl diazonium salts in methanol affords a variety of α‐aryl ketones in moderate to good yields. In contrast to previous reports on gold‐catalyzed reactions that involve redox cycles, no external oxidants or photosensitizers are required. The reaction proceeds smoothly under mild reaction conditions and shows broad functional‐group tolerance. Further applications of this method demonstrate the general applicability of the arylation of a vinyl gold intermediate instead of the commonly used protodemetalation step. This step provides facile access to functionalized products in one‐pot processes. With a P,N‐bidentate ligand, a stable aryl gold(III) species was obtained, which constitutes the first direct experimental evidence for the commonly postulated direct oxidative addition of an aryl diazonium salt to a pyridine phosphine gold(I) complex.     

Enantioselective Divergent Synthesis of (−)‐cis‐α‐ and (−)‐cis‐γ‐Irone by Using Wilkinson’s Catalyst

A simple, efficient synthesis is reported for (?)‐cis‐α‐ and (?)‐cis‐γ‐irone, two precious constituents of iris oils, in ≥99 % diastereomeric and enantioselective ratios. The two routes diverge from a common intermediate prepared from (?)‐epoxygeraniol. Of general interest in this approach is the installation of the enone moiety of irones through a NHC?Au^I‐catalyzed Meyer–Schuster‐like rearrangement of a propargylic benzoate and the use of Wilkinson’s catalyst for the stereoselective hydrogenation of a prostereogenic exocyclic double bond to secure the critical cis stereochemistry of the alkyl groups at C2 and C6 of the irones. The stereochemical aspects of this reaction are rationally supported by DFT calculation of the conformers of the substrates undergoing the hydrogenation and by a modeling study of the geometry of the rhodium η² complexes involved in the diastereodifferentiation of the double bond faces. Thus, computational investigation of the η² intermediates formed in the catalytic cycle of prostereogenic alkene hydrogenation by using Wilkinson’s catalyst could be highly predictive of the stereochemistry of the products.     

The nature of the AuI ... AuI Interactions between Cationic [AuL2]+ Complexes in the Solid State

The interaction energy of a [Au{C(NHMe)₂}₂]⁺ ... [Au{C(NHMe)₂}₂]⁺ dimer is investigated using the MP2 method and the LANL2DZ basis set when isolated or embedded in ionic an [Au{C(NHMe)₂}₂]₂anion₂ aggregate, a good model for the environment that these dimers feel in ionic crystals. A repulsive interaction energy is obtained when the dimer is isolated. However, it is possible to find short Au^I ... Au^I separations in [Au{C(NHMe)₂}₂]₂anion₂ aggregates, because in these aggregates the sum of the cation ... anion interactions overweight the sum of the cation ... cation plus anion...anion interactions. This explains why short Au^I ... Au^I separations are found in ionic crystals. The Au^I ... Au^I interaction found in [Au{C(NHMe)₂}₂]₂ anion₂ aggregates shows the same features observed in energetically stable dimers presenting Au^I... Au^I bonds. This makes appropriate to use the name counterion-mediated bonds for the Au^I... Au^I interactions found in [Au{C(NHMe)₂}₂]₂ anion₂ aggregates and ionic crystals.     

Revised Role of Selectfluor in Homogeneous Au‐Catalyzed Oxidative CO Bond Formations

The pairing of transition metal catalysis with the reagent Selectfluor (F‐TEDA–BF₄) has attracted considerable attention due to its utility in myriad C?C and C?heteroatom bond‐forming reactions. However, little mechanistic information is available for Selectfluor‐mediated transition metal‐catalyzed reactions and controversy surrounds the precise role of Selectfluor in these processes. We present herein a systematic investigation of homogeneous Au‐catalyzed oxidative C?O bond‐forming reactions using density functional theory calculations. Currently, Selectfluor is thought to serve as an external oxidant in Au^I/Au^III catalysis. However, our investigations suggest that these reactions follow a newly proposed mechanism in which Selectfluor functions as an electrophilic fluorinating reagent involved in a fluorination/defluorination cycle. We have also explored Selectfluor‐mediated gold‐catalyzed homocoupling reactions, which, when cyclopropyl propargylbenzoate is used as a substrate, lead to an unexpected byproduct.     

Cobalt‐Catalyzed Intermolecular C(sp2)O Cross‐Coupling

Cobalt(II)‐catalyzed C(sp²)?O cross‐coupling between aryl/heteroaryl alcohols and vinyl/aryl halides in the presence of Cu^I has been achieved under ligand‐free conditions. In this reaction, copper plays a significant role in transmetalation rather than being directly involved in the C?O coupling. This unique Co/Cu‐dual catalyst system provides an easy access to a library of aryl–vinyl, heteroaryl–styryl, aryl–aryl, and heteroaryl–heteroaryl ethers in the absence of any ligand or additive.     

Mechanism of Gold(I)‐Catalyzed Conia‐ene Reaction of β‐Ketoesters with Alkynes: A DFT Study

Density functional calculations have been performed to comparatively investigate two possible pathways of Au(I)‐catalyzed Conia‐ene reaction of β‐ketoesters with alkynes. Our studies find that, under the assistance of trifluoromethanesulfonate (TfO), the β‐ketoester is the most likely to undergo Model II to isomerize into its enol form, in which TfO plays a proton transfer role through a 6‐membered ring transition state. The coordination of the Au(I) catalyst to the alkynes triple bond can enhance the eletrophilic capability and reaction activity of the alkynes moiety, which triggers the nucleophilic addition of the enol moiety on the alkynes moiety to give a vinyl‐Au intermediate. This cycloisomerizaion step is exothermal by 21.3 kJ/mol with an energy barrier of 56.0 kJ/mol. In the whole catalytic process, the protonation of vinyl‐Au is almost spontaneous, and the formation of enol is a rate‐limiting step. The generation of enol and the activation of Au(I) catalyst on the alkynes are the key reasons why the Conia‐ene reaction can occur in mild condition. These calculations support that Au(I)‐catalyzed Conia‐ene reactions of β‐ketoesters with alkynes go through the pathway 2 proposed by Toste.