Gold(iii) π complexes.

π Hydrocarbons are widespread ligands and substrates in transition metal chemistry. Although gold(iii) has been known for some time to efficiently activate alkenes and alkynes towards nucleophilic addition, and to readily promote the C-H auration of arenes, the corresponding π-complexes have remained elusive until recently. This frontier article highlights recent achievements in the preparation and characterization of gold(iii) π complexes. The coordination of alkenes, alkynes and arenes to gold(iii) is presented and discussed.