Cationic, two-coordinate gold π complexes.

Cationic, two-coordinate gold π complexes that contain a phosphine or N-heterocyclic supporting ligand have attracted considerable attention recently owing to the potential relevance of these species as intermediates in the gold-catalyzed functionalization of C-C multiple bonds. Although neutral two-coordinate gold π complexes have been known for over 40 years, examples of the cationic two-coordinate gold(I) π complexes germane to catalysis remained undocumented prior to 2006. This situation has changed dramatically in recent years and well-defined examples of two-coordinate, cationic gold π complexes containing alkene, alkyne, diene, allene, and enol ether ligands have been documented. This Minireview highlights this recent work with a focus on the structure, bonding, and ligand exchange behavior of these complexes.