Gold Redox Catalytic Cycles for the Oxidative Coupling of Alkynes

Au(I)/Au(III) catalytic cycles are catalytically competent to perform the oxidative coupling of alkynes in the homogeneous phase at room temperature and without any protecting atmosphere. Selectfluor as oxidant, wet acetonitrile as solvent, and sodium carbonate as base are the reagents of choice. Both aromatic and alkyl alkynes can be coupled, and mechanistic studies reveal that at least two gold species having different oxidation states are implicated in the key step of the coupling.