Selective Homogeneous and Heterogeneous Gold Catalysis with Alkynes and Alkenes: Similar Behavior,Different Origin

The development of new sustainable chemical processes requires the implementation of ultra‐selective reaction processes. The enormous selectivity found for gold‐based catalysts when applied in several reactions has opened new frontiers. For instance, the selective activation of alkynes is a common feature for both homogeneous and heterogeneous gold catalysts. Herein, we employ experimental and theoretical methods to assess the similarities and differences in the performance of homogeneous and heterogeneous gold catalysts. Alkynophilicity, the selective activation of alkynes, is found to have a thermodynamic origin in the heterogeneous case and a kinetic one for homogeneous catalysis. Complex enyne rearrangements require the more active homogeneous (single gold) catalyst because it has more electrophilic character than its heterogeneous (nanoparticle) counterpart.     

Nanocrystalline gold and gold palladium alloy catalysts for chemical synthesis

Catalysis by gold has become one of the most studied new topics in chemistry in recent years, and yet for many gold acting as a catalyst is, perhaps, a most unlikely possibility since bulk gold is a relatively non-reactive, immutable, ductile metal that is prized for its great beauty and value rather than for the depth of its chemistry. However, when prepared in nanocrystalline form, as a collection of a few hundreds of atoms, it displays remarkable activity as a heterogeneous catalyst for a broad range of redox reactions. Of particular note is the ability of gold, either alone or alloyed with palladium, to catalyse selective oxidation reactions, e.g. alkene epoxidation, alcohol oxidation, and the direct synthesis of hydrogen peroxide by the hydrogenation of molecular oxygen. In this article the recent advances in this exciting new field are explored.     

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.     

Oxidative Interception of the Hydroamination Pathway: A Gold‐Catalyzed Diamination of Alkenes

A complimentary diamination of alkenes by using homogeneous gold catalysts is described. The reaction is one of very few examples of homogeneous gold oxidation catalysis and proceeds with high selectivity under mild conditions. Individual steps of the suggested catalytic cycle were investigated on isolated model gold complexes, and new pathways for gold‐catalyzed amination reactions were established. The key step is an intramolecular alkyl–nitrogen bond formation from a gold(III) intermediate. This process validates the concept of reductive elimination from high oxidation catalyst states for this type of C? N bond forming reactions.     

Nanocrystalline gold and gold-palladium alloy oxidation catalysts: a personal reflection on the nature of the active sites

The discoveries that supported gold nanoparticles are exceptionally efficient catalysts for a whole range of reactions is one of the most surprising revelations in the recent history of chemistry. For many years gold was considered too noble to be chemically interesting. However, when divided to the nano-scale, small gold nanoparticles comprising relatively few atoms, are very efficient in catalysing a range of redox and chemical synthesis reactions. In this perspectives article some of the recent research in this rapidly evolving field is highlighted, and the nature of the active site for oxidation reactions is commented on.     

Indanol‐Based Chiral Organoiodine Catalysts for Enantioselective Hydrative Dearomatization

Rapid development in the last decade has rendered chiral organoiodine(I/III) catalysis a reliable methodology in asymmetric catalysis. However, due to the severely limited numbers of effective organoiodine catalysts, many reactions still give low to modest enantioselectivity. We report herein a solution to this issue through the introduction of a pivotal indanol scaffold to the catalyst design. Our catalyst architecture exhibits the advantage of high modularity and thereby expedites catalyst optimization. The catalyst was optimized for the challenging and highly sought‐after hydrative dearomatization of 2‐substituted phenols at the 4‐position.     

Cinchona‐based Primary Amine Catalysis in the Asymmetric Functionalization of Carbonyl Compounds

Asymmetric aminocatalysis exploits the potential of chiral primary and secondary amines to catalyze asymmetric reactions. It has greatly simplified the functionalization of carbonyl compounds while ensuring high enantioselectivity. Recent advances in cinchona‐based primary amine catalysis have provided new synthetic opportunities and conceptual perspectives for successfully attacking major challenges in carbonyl compound chemistry, which traditional approaches have not been able to address. This Review outlines the historical context for the development of this catalyst class while charting the landmark discoveries and applications that have further expanded the synthetic potential of aminocatalysis.     

Nanocatalysts Fabricated by a Dealloying Method

Two types of nanomaterials with different morphologies are described in this article: nanoporous metals and titanate nanowires. Both materials are fabricated by a dealloying method. In the former case, the catalytic properties of nanoporous gold and palladium are exemplified by many chemical transformations. The reactions proceed without any support, stabilizer, or ligands. The catalyst can be easily recovered by a simple separation process and reused many times without significant loss of catalytic activity. In the latter case, the dealloying of Ti–Al alloy is described as a new fabrication method for producing ultrafine titanate nanowires. This method does not require high‐temperature conditions, which is advantageous for the construction of fine structures. The key to this process is achieving a fine dispersion of intermetallic TiAl₃ nanocrystals in the Al matrix in the mother alloy. The resulting nanowires exhibit remarkable Sr²⁺ ion‐exchange properties.     

An efficient and selective synthesis of 2,5-substituted pyrroles by gold-catalysed ring expansion of alkynyl aziridines

A range of substituted alkynyl aziridines undergo a ring expansion to afford 2,5-substituted pyrroles under gold catalysis. While effective conditions can be generated from other gold sources, a combination of Ph₃PAuCl and AgOTs generate a catalyst system that provides extremely clean cycloisomerisation reactions requiring minimal work-up and purification.     

Catalytic Three‐Component Domino Reaction for the Preparation of Trisubstituted Oxazoles

Multicomponent reactions are attractive for assembling functionalized heterocyclic compounds. To this end, an efficient gold‐catalyzed three‐component domino reaction to form oxazoles directly from imines, alkynes, and acid chlorides is presented. The reaction proceeds in a single synthetic step by using a gold(III)–N,N′‐ethylenebis(salicylimine) (salen) catalyst to give trisubstituted oxazoles in up to 96 % yield. The substrate scope, a mechanistic study exploring the role of the gold catalyst, and the synthetic applications of the oxazole products are discussed.     

Recent Progress of Synthesis and Application in Au@MOFs Hybrid Materials

The combination of gold nanoparticles and metal–organic frameworks is one of the new directions of current research. It has applications in many aspects, especially as a catalyst for a variety of reactions. Therefore, this paper describes recent progress of synthesis and application in Au@MOFs hybrid materials.     

Synergistic Peptide and Gold Catalysis: Enantioselective Addition of Branched Aldehydes to Allenamides

The combination of a peptide catalyst and a gold catalyst is presented for enantioselective addition reactions between branched aldehydes and allenamides. The two catalysts act in concert to provide γ,δ-enamide aldehydes bearing a fully substituted, benzylic stereogenic center – a structural motif common in many natural products and therapeutically active compounds – with good yields and enantioselectivities. The reaction tolerates a variety of alkyl and alkoxy substituted aldehydes and the products can be elaborated into several chiral building blocks bearing either 1,4- or 1,5- functional group relationships. Mechanistic studies showed that the conformational features of the peptide are important for both the catalytic efficiency and stereochemistry, while a balance of acid/base additives is key for ensuring formation of the desired product over undesired side reactions.     

A Highly Efficient and Broadly Applicable Cationic Gold Catalyst

Gold catalysts capable of promoting reactions at low‐level loadings under mild conditions are the exception rather than the norm. We examined reactions where the regeneration of cationic gold catalyst (e.g., protodeauration) was the turnover limiting stage. By manipulating electron density on the substituents around phosphorus and introducing steric handles we designed a phosphine ligand that contains two electron‐rich ortho‐biphenyl groups and a cyclohexyl substituent. This ligand formed a gold complex that catalyzed common types of gold‐catalyzed reactions including intra‐ and intermolecular X? H (X=C, N, O) additions to alkynes and cycloisomerizations, with high turnover numbers at room temperature or slightly elevated temperatures (≤50 °C). Our new ligand can be prepared in one step from commercially available starting materials.     

Iron(III) Triflimide as a Catalytic Substitute for Gold(I) in Hydroaddition Reactions to Unsaturated Carbon–Carbon Bonds

In this work it is shown that iron(III) and gold(I) triflimide efficiently catalyze the hydroaddition of a wide array of nucleophiles including water, alcohols, thiols, amines, alkynes, and alkenes to multiple C? C bonds. The study of the catalytic activity and selectivity of iron(III), gold(I), and Brønsted triflimides has unveiled that iron(III) triflimide [Fe(NTf₂)₃] is a robust catalyst under heating conditions, whereas gold(I) triflimide, even stabilized by PPh₃, readily decomposes at 80 °C and releases triflimidic acid (HNTf₂) that can catalyze the corresponding reaction, as shown by in situ ¹⁹F, ¹⁵N, and ³¹P NMR spectroscopy. The results presented here demonstrate that each of the two catalyst types has weaknesses and strengths and complement each other. Iron(III) triflimide can act as a substitute of gold(I) triflimide as a catalyst for hydroaddition reactions to unsaturated carbon–carbon bonds.     

黄金矿的催化浸取

基于对金自溶解电化学过程的分析，提出此过程受阴极还原反应所控制，加入阴极反应催化剂，能加快金自溶速度，实验结果充分表明，我们找到的催化剂Ａ能提高金的浸出速度和浸出效率。     

Auto‐Tandem Catalysis: A Single Catalyst Activating Mechanistically Distinct Reactions in a Single Reactor

Domino reactions have received great attention as efficient synthetic methodologies for the construction of structurally complex molecules from simple materials in a single operation. Catalysts in domino reactions have also been well studied. In these reactions, a catalyst activates the substrate(s) only once, and the structure of the product is delineated at that time. Recently, the new concept of “tandem catalysis” in domino reactions, in which catalyst(s) sequentially activate more than two mechanistically distinct reactions, has been proposed. Tandem catalysis is categorized into three subclasses: orthogonal‐, auto‐, and assisted‐tandem catalyses. Auto‐tandem catalysis is defined as a process in which one catalyst promotes more than two fundamentally different reactions in a single reactor. An overview of recent and significant achievements in auto‐tandem catalysis is presented in this paper.     

Dinuclear Gold Catalysis: Are Two Gold Centers Better than One?

A common golden thread: The exact role of dinuclear gold species in catalysis has recently attracted considerable attention. Such well-defined complexes can now be isolated and fully characterized and may assist in elucidating the exact action of gold centers in gold-catalyzed reactions. In view of the latest developments in this area, possibilities now abound in terms of mechanistic exploration and novel catalyst design.     

金催化的环化反应与钯催化的炔醇偶联/环化反应相结合用于合成多取代呋喃衍生物:串联反应的应用范围(英文)

开发了一种由金和钯催化π-活化由炔醇合成呋喃衍生物的集成方法.该合成策略是最显著的特点适用于带环辛基的底物,其适用范围比之前报道的有很大扩展.在Sonogashira反应条件下,由相应底物可直接得到环辛基呋喃.Pd在这些反应中起到2个重要作用:底物发生偶联反应的关键催化剂;通过π-活化促进炔醇中间体成环反应.该方法在一步合成3-碘呋喃反应中作用很突出,使通过偶联法进一步官能团化成为可能.我们还将AuBr_3用于多米诺成环/C-H键活化反应和无环前体的成环反应.本文结果表明,在该类成环反应中金和钯催化剂相辅相成.     

Heterogeneous gold catalysts for efficient access to functionalized lactones

A novel class of heterogeneous gold catalysts supported on zeolite beta-NH4+ was prepared by the deposition-precipitation method. This new class of catalyst showed interesting catalytic activities for the intramolecular cycloisomerization of gamma-acetylenic carboxylic acids leading to functionalized gamma-alkylidene gamma-butyrolactones. Analysis of the supported gold species with in situ X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (in situ XPS) suggests that cationic Au (possibly AuIII) can play an important role in such reactions. The high discrepancy in catalyst stability in favor of the Au supported on the zeolite system over bulk Au2O3 is explained by 1) the size of the particles and 2) the reversibility of the redox deactivating process (AuIII-->AuI) in the presence of oxygen for the supported system. The efficiency of this system allowed reaction under mild heterogeneous conditions. The potential for catalyst recycling was also highlighted.     

SiO2担载聚甲酚磺醛作为固体酸催化剂用于有机反应

均相催化多相化是催化化学研究热点之一.但是,很多固体催化剂的制备需要专门的仪器设备和长期的实验技术积累,而一般的有机合成化学实验室并不具备制备和调控固体催化剂的条件.另外,部分固体催化剂制备过程较为复杂,制备周期较长,因此,人们在进行有机转化反应操作时往往倾向于采用均相催化剂.为了改变这一现状,需要尽快发展制备方法简单、周期短、性能可靠的固体催化剂,以期能够在当前化学反应绿色化过程中做出更大贡献.酸催化剂广泛用于有机合成反应.传统硫酸、氢氟酸等均相酸催化剂虽然催化活性较好,但其腐蚀性强、毒性大,且回收困难.为了提高化学转化过程的绿色性,固体酸催化剂在有机反应中的应用已广受关注.但是,传统的固体酸催化剂制备过程大多较为复杂,获取周期长,且酸度不均、负载量也难以实现调控,因此有必要发展一种制备便捷、酸度适中、普适性广的固体酸催化剂.聚甲酚磺醛是2-羟基-4-甲基苯磺酸与甲醛的低聚物,不溶于二氯甲烷、乙酸乙酯等大部分有机溶剂,易溶于水.聚甲酚磺醛的水溶液已经被用作治疗妇科疾病的药物,是一种廉价、易得、生物兼容性好的市售化学品.由于聚甲酚磺醛分子结构中含有大量的磺酸基,因此其具备作为酸催化剂的潜质.考虑到其骨架结构中富含大量羟基,可能与SiO2类多羟基载体产生氢键作用,因而可在一定程度上稳定制备的SiO2/聚甲酚磺醛复合固体材料.本文采用浸渍法,经如下两步将聚甲酚磺醛负载于SiO2表面,制备了一系列担载量不同(0.2~1.5 mmol/g)的复合酸性材料：(1)将SiO2加入聚甲酚磺醛水溶液的乙醇溶液中,在室温下磁力搅拌10–15分钟;(2)在减压条件下除去水和乙醇(约30分钟).整个制备过程,无需专门的设备,仅需使用磁力搅拌器和旋转蒸发仪等一般有机合成实验室的常规仪器,并且制备周期非常短,在1小时以内即可完成.该方法所制备催化剂的负载量可由投料比直接控制,可简单、快速制备负载量不同的SiO2/聚甲酚磺醛复合固体材料.研究发现, SiO2/聚甲酚磺醛复合固体催化剂能够高效地促进多种有机反应,如二苯甲醇与苯乙烯衍生物的亲核取代反应、2-苯基乙醇与醛的oxa-Pictect-Spengler反应以及吲哚与1,3-二羰基化合物或2-苯基乙醛的直接C3-烯基化反应.在上述反应中,目标产物的产率均较高,且反应对底物具有良好的官能团兼容性. SiO2/聚甲酚磺醛催化剂均可重复使用多次,且催化活性无明显下降.更重要的是,上述反应的投料量可增加至10 mmol,且产物的分离产率无明显下降,从而证明SiO2/聚甲酚磺醛催化剂具有一定的实际合成价值.值得一提的是,由于SiO2/聚甲酚磺醛催化剂含有一定量的水,本文认为聚甲酚磺醛在SiO2表面是以水溶液的形式存在,因此在反应过程中可能是以均相催化的方式进行.相较于传统的SiO2负载磺酸、TiO2负载苯磺酸以及Amberlyst-15催化剂, SiO2/聚甲酚磺醛复合固体酸催化剂具有活性高、制备周期短、廉价易得的特点.同时,该催化剂可简单、快速制备各种不同酸负载量的固体催化剂,在一定范围内调控该类固体酸催化剂的酸性.因而, SiO2/聚甲酚磺醛复合固体酸催化剂望用于各种酸催化合成反应中.