3.057 Å

1. Mechanistic Studies on Organogold Complexes. Toward the Development of Novel Homogeneous Catalysts for C–O, C–N, and C–C Bond Formations Christine Hahn Department of Physical Sciences, University of Texas of the Permian Basin, Odessa, Texas 79762 The goal of this project is the development of gold catalyst for atom economic organic transformations. We have focused our interest to the functionalization of alkynes. The AuI complex was tested as catalyst for the hydration of alkynes. A new gold catalyst was prepared by reaction of diphos with Na[AuCl4] forming a diphos AuI complex with one oxygenated phosphorous atom. (5 : 3) diphos The X-Ray crystal structure analysis shows a linear coordination geometry of the gold center. The oxygen atom is directed toward the Au atom with a relatively short non-bonding distance. P2 P1 The new gold(I) complex catalyzes efficiently the hydration of alkynes under mild condition. Control runs showed that the AuI complex alone catalyzes the reaction somewhat but AgBF4 and HBF4 are essential co-catalysts. Further studies are in progress to test the new gold(I) complex for other C-C and C-N bond formation reactions. O 3.057 Å Au Cl