Recent advances in enyne cycloisomerization using N-heterocyclic carbene gold complexes

Abstract

Since the pioneering discovery of N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC)-gold complexes, extensive research has propelled the field of homogeneous gold catalysis into new frontiers. Among the most dynamic and synthetically valuable applications is the Au(NHC)-catalyzed cycloisomerization of enynes. This review highlights recent advances in this rapidly evolving area, with a focus on the cyclization of 1,6-enynes, 1,5-enynes, and other 1,n-enyne systems. Special attention is given to the oxidative cyclization of enynes, which further expands the chemical space accessible via gold catalysis. Mechanistic insights are critically examined, revealing how NHC ligands modulate the reactivity, selectivity, and stability of gold centers. Through the lens of both mechanistic understanding and catalytic performance, this review underscores the growing importance of Au(NHC) complexes in the efficient and selective construction of complex molecular frameworks.