Stereo- and Regioselective Alkyne Hydrometallation with Gold(III) Hydrides

The hydroauration of internal and terminal alkynes by gold(III) hydride complexes [((CNC)-N-boolean AND-C-boolean AND)AuH] was found to be mediated by radicals and proceeds by an unexpected binuclear outer-sphere mechanism to cleanly form trans-insertion products. Radical precursors such as azobisisobutyronitrile lead to a drastic rate enhancement. DFT calculations support the proposed radical mechanism, with very low activation barriers, and rule out mononuclear mechanistic alternatives. These alkyne hydroaurations are highly regio- and stereospecific for the formation of Z-vinyl isomers, with Z/E ratios of > 99: 1 in most cases.