Cationic Gold(III) Alkyl Complexes: Generation, Trapping, and Insertion of Norbornene

摘要

Migratory insertion of alkenes into gold-carbon bonds, a fundamental yet unprecedented organometallic transformation, has been investigated from a discrete (P,C) cyclometalated gold(III) dimethyl complex. Methide abstraction by B(C6F5)(3) is shown to generate a highly reactive cationic Au-III complex that evolves spontaneously by C6F5 transfer from boron. In the presence of norbornene, migratory insertion into the AuC bond proceeds readily. The resulting norbornyl complex is efficiently trapped with pyridines or chloride to give stable four-coordinate adducts.