SummaryC–O, C–N and C–C bonds are the most widespread types of bonds in nature, and are the cornerstone of most organic compounds, ranging from pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals to advanced materials and polymers. Cationic gold acts as a soft and carbophilic Lewis acid and is considered one of the most powerful activators of C–C multiple bonds. Consequently, gold-catalysis plays an important role in the development of new strategies to form these bonds in more convenient ways. In this review, we highlight recent advances in the gold-catalyzed chemistry of addition of X–H (X = O, N, C) bonds to C–C multiple bonds, tandem reactions, and asymmetric additions. This review covers gold-catalyzed organic reactions published from 2008 to the present.

A mild and effective method was developed for the construction of heterocyclic building blocks 3-hydroxyisoindolin-1-ones via a metal-free tandem transformation with excellent regioselectivity. Significantly, the strategy presents an atom-economical and environmentally friendly transformation, in which two new C-N bonds and one C-O bond are formed in water from two simple starting materials. Moreover, a broad spectrum of substrates can participate in the process effectively to produce the desired products in good yields.

The present review provides a comprehensive summary of the catalytic and catalyst-free diboration of alkynes.