A straightforward synthetic protocol leading to carbene-metal-amido (CMA) complexes (metal = Au, Cu) using a mild base and an environmentally desirable solvent (EtOH) has been explored, with a focus on complexes bearing backbone-substituted N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands, including BIAN-NHCs (BIAN = bis(imino)acenaphthene). The novel CMAs were structurally characterized, and gold-based CMAs bearing diverse NHCs were screened as simple, Brønsted-basic precatalysts. The readily accessible complexes display high catalytic activity in the intermolecular and intramolecular hydrocarboxylation of internal alkynes and alkynoic acids respectively, while the screening reveals the ancillary ligand effect of NHCs in these catalytic systems.[a] I.

The synthetic access to monomeric copper-alkynyl and copper-thiolato complexes of the type [(NHC)Cu(R)] (R = alkynyl or thiolato) using a weak base approach is reported. All reported reactions proceed under...

In our search for simple synthetic routes to N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC)-metal complexes and their derivatives, we herein report an operationally simple, expedient and scalable method to obtain the widely used...

A sustainable and facile weak-base synthetic route to platinum N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) complexes is disclosed.

A catalytic protocol for the Au(I)‐catalyzed hydration of 1‐iodoalkynes is disclosed. The use of Au(I)–NHC catalyst enabled the straightforward synthesis of a variety of α‐iodomethyl ketones in good to excellent yields. The utility of this simple method is further highlighted by showcasing iodination/hydration and hydration/oxidation sequential protocols leading to the construction of molecular complexity.