Reactivity of Gold Hydrides: O2 Insertion into the Au-H Bond

Dioxygen reacts with the gold(I) hydride (IPr)AuH under insertion to give the hydroperoxide AuOOH, a long-postulated reaction in gold catalysis and the first demonstration of O-2 activation by Au-H in a well-defined system. Subsequent condensation gave the peroxide (IPr)Au-OO-Au(IPr),(IPr = 1,3-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imidazol=2-ylidene). The reaction kinetics are reported, as well as the reactivity of Au(I) hydrides with radical scavengers.