Phosphine gold(I) Bis-(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imidate complexes as new highly efficient and air-stable catalysts for the cycloisomerization of enynes

A study concerning the synthesis of new phosphine gold(l) complexes using the bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imidate moiety as a weakly coordinating counteranion is described. These new air-stable complexes are more convenient to prepare, store, and handle and are exceedingly active for the catalysis of a wide range of enynes cycloisomerizations.