Abstract
Au(I)/Au(III) catalytic cycles are catalytically competent to perform
the oxidative coupling of alkynes in the homogeneous phase at room temperature
and without any protecting atmosphere. Selectfluor as oxidant, wet acetonitrile
as solvent, and sodium carbonate as base are the reagents of choice. Both
aromatic and alkyl alkynes can be coupled, and mechanistic studies reveal that
at least two gold species having different oxidation states are implicated in the
key step of the coupling.
