Synthesis, characterization and reactivity of gold(I) complexes with thiol-functionalized N-heterocyclic carbene ligands

The use of gold(I) complexes with N-heterocyclic carbene ligands as catalysts is well-established. The ability of these complexes to activate carbon-carbon triple bonds towards nucleophilic attack has been demonstrated in the last decades. In this work, we report the synthesis, characterization, and reactivity of gold(I) complexes with new N-heterocyclic carbene ligands functionalized with an alkyl chain of variable lenght, terminating with a thiol group. These novel complexes are promising catalyst for the hydrophenoxylation of alkynes and are potentially more versatile than similar gold(I) complexes due to the presence of the thiol moiety.