A novel high-stability Au(III)/Schiff-based catalyst for acetylene hydrochlorination reaction

•[AuCl2(phen)]Cl catalyst is synthesized and applied in acetylene hydrochlorination.•[AuCl2(phen)]Cl catalyst displays excellent stability for acetylene hydrochlorination.•N-containing ligands inhibit the reduction of active Au3 + component.

Herein, we reported on the application of an Au(III)/Schiff-based catalyst in acetylene hydrochlorination reaction. The [AuCl2(phen)]Cl catalyst exhibited excellent stability, and acetylene conversion was maintained at > 90% after 40 h of operation. The excellent stability of the [AuCl2(phen)]Cl catalyst was attributed to the presence of the 1,10-phenanthroline ligand that partially inhibited the reduction of the Au3 + active component.