Electrochemical monitoring of the oxidative coupling of alkynes catalyzed by triphenylphosphine gold complexes

Electrochemical monitoring of the oxidative coupling of alkynes in the homogeneous phase through catalytic cycles involving triphenylphosphine gold complexes and selectfluor as oxidant reveals that at least two gold species in + 3 and + 1 oxidation states are implicated. Electrochemically driven homocoupling of terminal alkynes using molecular oxygen as the oxidant can be performed using such catalysts.

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► The catalytic effect exerted by Au(I) triphenlyphosphine complexes on homocoupling of alkynes is monitored electrochemically.
► Formation of the coupling product involves the formation of a Au(I)-π-coordinated alkyne adduct.
► Homocoupling of alkynes using dissolved oxygen as the oxidant can be electrochemically driven in the presence of gold catalysts.