Catalysis and Organic Synthesis Laboratory
The Patil Research Group
Department of Chemistry
Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Bhopal

The development of gold(I)-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions is challenging as gold(I), unlike its isoelectronic counterpart Pd(0), doesn’t easily change its oxidation state during the catalytic cycle (Our review: Chem. Commun., 2018, 54, 11069 and Chem. Commun., 2020, 56, 2677). This apparent reluctance of gold complexes to engage in redox activity is attributed to the comparatively high redox potential of the Au(I)/Au(III) couple (E0 = +1.41 V) in contrast to that of the Pd(0)/Pd(II) couple (E0 = +0.92 V).

 

Our research group has contributed to this field and following strategies have been utilized to achieve the goals:

(a) External oxidant empowered Au(I)/Au(III) catalysis

(b) Au(I)/Au(III) catalysis via merged gold/photoredox catalysis

(c) Au(I)/Au(III) catalysis via benziodoxolones

(d) Ligand-enabled Au(I)/Au(III) catalysis