Formation and stability of 3-5 atom gold clusters from gold complexes during the catalytic reaction: dependence on ligands and counteranions.

Gold complexes and salts decompose to catalytically active 3-5 atom gold clusters during the one-pot acylation-hydration of propargyl alcohols. Kinetic and spectroscopic studies show that released ligands and counteranions exert a direct effect on the formation and stability of the clusters.