posted on 2012-06-11, 00:00authored byJay J. Dunsford, Kingsley J. Cavell, Benson M. Kariuki
The synthesis and characterization of novel six- and
seven-membered
expanded ring N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) complexes of the general
formula [Au(NHC)Cl] are described. The key structural parameters of
complexes 1, 2, and 4 have
been evaluated by solid-state analysis and by means of the percent
buried volume (%Vbur) analysis. Complex 4 is found to demonstrate the largest %Vbur value of any gold(I) NHC complex reported to date, with
a value of 52.6. All complexes 1–4 have been evaluated in a preliminary catalytic survey of the hydration
of internal alkynes.