Cross-coupling of arene-gold(III) complexes

The reactivity of electron-deficient arene gold(III) complexes toward nucleophilic aromatic and heteraromatic counterparts has been studied. 1-Methylindole proved to be the best reaction partner while trimethoxybenzenes did not react. The ancillary ligand on gold also influenced the reactivity in the order PPh3>(PBu3)-Bu-t>IPr. An oxidative cross-coupling starting from the corresponding gold(I) complexes in presence of hypervalent iodide oxidants was also studied. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.