Synthesis and reactivity of air-stable n-heterocyclic carbene gold(I) bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imidate complexes

A study concerning the synthesis of new N-heterocyclic carbene gold(I) complexes using the bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imidate moiety (Tf2N-) as a weakly coordinating counteranion is described. These new air-stable (NCH)AuNTf2 complexes are convenient to prepare, stoe, and handle and proved to be active in a range of gold(I)-catalyzed transfortnations.