Intermetallic coinage metal-catalyzed functionalization of alkanes with ethyl diazoacetate: Gold as a ligand

The complexes [Au2M2(C6F5)4(NCMe)2]n (M = Cu, 1; M = Ag, 2) have been tested as catalysts for the functionalization of alkanes by the carbene insertion methodology, using ethyl diazoacetate as the carbene source. Moderate to high conversions have been obtained. The observed selectivities seem to favor the proposal that the active metal for catalysis is the Cu/Ag center, the Au(C6F5)2 unit acting as a spectator ligand in both cases.

Graphical abstractThe intermetallic complexes [Au2M2(C6F5)4(NCMe)2]n (M = Cu, 1; M = Ag, 2) catalyze the functionalization of alkanes by the carbene insertion methodology, using ethyl diazoacetate as the carbene source.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideResearch highlights► Cu–Au and Ag–Au catalysts for diazo decomposition. ► Carbene transfer from ethyl diazoacetate to alkane C–H bonds. ► Cu and Ag as the active catalytic sites. ► Gold Au(C6F5)2 units act as ligands for Cu or Ag.