Synthesis, Characterization and Catalytic Activity of NHC Gold(I) Polyoxometalate Complexes.

The new hybrid NHC gold(I) acetonitrile polyoxometalate complexes {[Au(IPr)(MeCN)+ ][H+ ]3 [SiW12 O404- ] (1), [Au(IPr)(MeCN)+ ][H+ ]2 [PMo12 O403- ] (2), [Au(IPr)(MeCN)+ ][H+ ]5 [P2 W18 O626- ] (3), [Au(IPr)(MeCN)+ ][H+ ]2 [PW12 O403- ] (4), [Au(IPr)(MeCN)+ ]3 [PMo12 O403- ] (5) and [Au(ItBu)(MeCN)+ ] [H+ ]2 [PMo12 O403- ] (6)} were readily synthesized in high yield and characterized by NMR and MS-ESI spectroscopy. In a preliminary catalytic study, their activity was assessed under heterogeneous conditions for the ene-yne rearrangement reaction and a cycloisomerization reaction. Additionally, their reactivity and recyclability were tested in the hydration of alkynes under homogeneous conditions.