Chiral [2.2]paracyclophane-based NAC- and NHC-gold(I) complexes

•New chiral NAC and NHC complexes of gold could be prepared.•They could be structurally characterized.•They were successfully tested in catalysis reactions.

From enantiomerically pure, planar chiral [2.2]paracyclophane amines a series of nitrogen acyclic carbenegold(I) complexes and nitrogen heterocyclic carbenegold(I) complexes are prepared by a modular template synthesis using isonitriles and amines. These chiral catalysts are tested in two reactions, the enantiotopos-selective furanyne cyclization and the enantioselective enyne cyclization. While excellent conversions could be achieved with these new catalysts, the enantioselectivities in only some cases are in the range of best known catalysts for these conversion.

Graphical abstractThe modular template synthesis of carbenegold(I) complexes allows the easy synthesis of unusual gold catalysts, for example bearing nitrogen heterocyclic carbene with a planar chiral cyclophane on one nitrogen atom and a twelve-membered macrocycle on the other nitrogen atom.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide