Two new works already publicated in 2024. Congratulations!

Ferrocenyl Dinuclear Gold(I) Complexes. Study of their Structural Features and the Influence of Bridging and Phosphane Ligands in a Catalytic Cyclization Reaction, Pérez-Sánchez, J. C.; Herrera, R. P.; Gimeno, M. C. Chem. Eur. J. 2024, accepted. DOI: 10.1002/chem.202303585. Abstract. The combination of the ferrocene moiety with gold(I) catalysis remains a relatively unexplored field. In this article, we delve into the synthesis, characterization, and potential catalytic activity of four complexes utilizing both monodentate and bidentate ferrocenyl diphenylphosphane ligands (ppf and dppf), coordinated with two gold(I) metal centers, linked by either chloride or pentafluorophenylthiolate bridging ligands. This leads to the formation of cationic “self-activated” precatalysts capable of initiating the catalytic cycle without the need for external additives. The catalytic activity of these complexes was assessed through a model reaction in gold(I) catalysis, specifically the cyclization of a N-propargylbenzamide to produce an oxazole. In addition, we studied and compared the influence exerted by both the phosphane and the bridging ligand on the performance of these catalysts.

Unlocking the Catalytic Potential of Gold(II) Complexes: A Comprehensive Reassessment, Pérez-Sánchez, J. C.; Herrera, R. P.; Gimeno, M. C. Dalton Trans. 2024, 53, 382-393. DOI: 10.1039/D3DT03687A. Abstract. Gold(II) complexes, unlike their gold(I) and gold(III) counterparts, have been sparsely employed in the field of catalysis. This is primarily due to the challenges associated with isolating and characterising these open-shell species. However, these complexes offer a wide range of possibilities. On one hand, this intermediate oxidation state has proven to be more easily accessible through reduction and oxidation processes compared to the gold(I)/gold(III) redox couple, thereby facilitating potential homo-coupling and cross-coupling reactions. On the other hand, gold(II) exhibits Lewis acid behaviour, bridging the characteristics of the soft acid gold(I) and the hard acid gold(III). In this review, we focus on mono- and dinuclear gold(II) complexes, whether they are isolated and well-studied or proposed as intermediates in cross-coupling reactions induced by the action of oxidants or light. We delve into the unique reactivity and potential applications of these gold(II) species, shedding light on their role in this field. This comprehensive exploration aims to underscore the latent promise of gold(II) complexes in catalysis, offering insights into their structural and mechanistic aspects while highlighting their relevance in contemporary chemical transformations.