Abstract
Dioxygen reacts with the gold(I) hydride (IPr)AuH under insertion to give the hydroperoxide (IPr)AuOOH, a long-postulated reaction in gold catalysis and the first demonstration of O(2) activation by Au-H in a well-defined system. Subsequent condensation gave the peroxide (IPr)Au-OO-Au(IPr) (IPr = 1,3-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imidazol-2-ylidene). The reaction kinetics are reported, as well as the reactivity of Au(I) hydrides with radical scavengers.