Heterogeneous gold-catalysed synthesis of phenols

Nanoparticles of gold supported on nanocrystalline CeO2 catalyse the isomerisation of omega-alkynylfurans to phenols. Initial leaching of gold was observed, which could be minimised by calcining. Subsequent runs showed that once all soluble species had leached, the surface-bound, cationic gold species is still active and can reach turnover numbers of up to 391. This is the first time that a heterogeneous gold catalyst showed activity in the gold-catalysed phenol synthesis.