Recent advances in the isolation and reactivity of organogold complexes.

Homogeneous gold catalysis has been one of the most active research fields in organic chemistry for more than a decade, and it has been also among the most efficient methodologies for forming carbon-carbon or carbon-heteroatom bonds. Recently, a number of organogold intermediates were isolated from stoichiometric reactions, which helps to better understand the mechanisms. Meanwhile, the reactivity of organogold compounds has been attracting the attention of organic chemists in the field. This tutorial review collects the most recent advances in the isolation and reactivity of organogold compounds that may help to open new directions in homogenous gold catalysis. This journal is © The Royal Society of Chemistry 2012