Encapsulation of N-heterocyclic carbene–gold (I) catalysts within magnetic core/shell silica gels: A reusable alkyne hydration catalyst

In this study, N-heterocyclic carbene–Au(I) complex, chloro1,3-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imidazol-2-ylidene]gold (I), was successfully encapsulated within mesopores of a magnetic core/shell (γ-Fe₂O₃@SiO₂) silica gel through post-pore-size reduction by silylation reactions The post-reduction of the pore size not only minimizes the catalyst leaching during the alkyne hydration reactions but also eliminates any need for covalent modification of the catalyst or support surface. The resulting catalyst exhibits high activity in hydration reactions of various alkynes even under low catalytic loadings. The catalyst can be easily recycled from the reaction mixture using a magnet and can be reused in alkyne hydration reactions up to six times with only 52. wt% Au leaching.