Synthesis, Characterization, and Catalytic Activity of Cationic NHC Gold(III) Pyridine Complexes

A series of cationic gold(I/III) pyridine complexes of the type [(L)Au(pyr)](PF6) and [(L)AuCl2(pyr)](PF6), where L = IPr, (1, 5); L = IMes (2, 6); L = (IBu)-Bu-t, (3, 7); L = ICy (4, 8); and L = PPh3, (9, 10), were synthesized and characterized by NMR spectroscopy and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The stability of the new complexes and their catalytic activity in five well-established organic transformations were assessed.