A simple halide and silver-free synthesis of Echavarren's catalyst directly from gold powder

Abstract

An expedient procedure is reported for the preparation of the synthetically valuable Au(I) complex [Au(MeCN)(P^tBu₂C₆H₄Ph-2)][BF₄] (Echavarren's catalyst) directly from gold powder using [NO][BF₄] in acetonitrile. The synthetic method obviates the potential presence of silver or halide impurities that follow from the tedious conventional synthesis, and have otherwise been shown to moderate catalyst performance.