New [Au(NHC)(OH)] Complexes for Silver-Free Protocols

Novel (NHC)gold(I) hydroxides are reported. Their differing tolerances to air and moisture are rationalized by the varying abilities of the NHC ligands to sterically protect the reactive metal center. A number of gold hydroxides were used in the silver-free preparation of Gagosz-type catalysts. This general procedure led to analytically pure products while avoiding the use of expensive silver reagents.