Gold-catalyzed hydroamination of C-C multiple bonds

The development of general and efficient methods for the addition of an N-H bond across a C-C multiple bond (hydroanimation) represents a significant challenge in both organic synthesis and homogeneous catalysis. Although a diverse range of transition-metal complexes have been employed as catalysts for hydroamination, examples of gold-catalyzed hydroamination were exceedingly rare prior to 2001. However, over the past five years gold complexes have been applied as catalysts for a number of selective organic transformations including the hydroamination of unactivated alkenes, alkynes, allenes, and 1,3-dienes. This Microreview provides a brief overview of the gold-catalyzed hydroamination of C-C multiple bonds. ((c) Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2006).