The Mechanism of Gold(I)-Catalyzed Hydroalkoxylation of Alkynes: An Extensive Experimental Study

An extensive experimental study of the mechanism of gold(I)-catalyzed hydroalkoxylation of internal alkynes has been conducted by using NMR spectroscopy. This study was focused on the organogold intermediates, observations of actual catalytic intermediates in situ, and the reaction kinetics that are involved in this reaction. Based on the experimental results, a complete mechanistic picture was established, including on- and off-cycle processes that explain the role of diaurated species. We have shown that gold-catalyzed hydroalkoxylation of internal alkynes is a reaction that requires only one gold atom for the catalytic cycle, disproving a recent hypothesis regarding the involvement of cooperative gold catalysis.