Gold(III) complexes of type [AuCl2{eta(2)-RC(R'pz)(3)}]Cl [R = R' = H (1), R = CH2OH, R' = H (2) and R = H, R' = 3,5-Me-2(3), pz = pyrazol-1-yl] were supported on carbon materials (activated carbon, carbon xerogel and carbon nanotubes) and used for the oxidation of cyclohexane to cyclohexanol and cyclohexanone, with aqueous H2O2, under mild conditions.

In the presence of a gold catalyst an unprecedented oxidative cyclization of diynes takes place. The reaction cascade is initiated by an oxygen transfer from a N-oxide onto a gold-activated alkyne. The formed α-oxo carbene is transferred across the second alkyne yielding a stabilized vinyl carbene/cation. Alkyl migration or sp(3)-CH insertion then terminates the catalytic cycle by formation of highly substituted functionalized indenones. A 1,6-carbene shift could be supported by the oxidation of the vinyl carbene. This protocol represents an attractive alternative to procedures which are based on the metal-catalyzed decomposition of hazardous, not easily accessible, diazo compounds.

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A series of dinuclear gold σ,π-propyne acetylide complexes were prepared and tested for their catalytic ability in dual gold catalysis that was based on the reaction of an electrophilic π-complex of gold with a gold acetylide. The air-stable and storable catalysts can be isolated as silver-free catalysts in their activated form. These dual catalysts allow a fast initiation phase for the dual catalytic cycles without the need for additional additives for acetylide formation. Because propyne serves as a throw-away ligand, no traces of the precatalyst are generated. Based on the fast initiation process, side products are minimized and reaction rates are higher for these catalysts. A series of test reactions were used to demonstrate the general applicability of these catalysts. Lower catalyst loadings, faster reaction rates, and better selectivity, combined with the practicability of these catalysts, make them ideal catalysts for dual gold catalysis.

We report the gold-catalyzed synthesis of highly functionalized iodofulvenes from iododialkynes under mild conditions. The catalytic cycle involves the formation of gold acetylides and vinylgold intermediates. These intermediates can then undergo an unprecedented iodine/gold exchange. This new pathway for catalyst transfer in dual gold catalysis opens up the possibility of highly regioselective transformations directed by the gold in the organogold intermediates. The resulting products are well suited for further metal-mediated coupling reactions, allowing the synthesis of extended π-systems.