Allene-derived gold and platinum complexes: synthesis and first applications in catalysis

We report here the synthesis, full characterisation and first application in catalysis of novel Au(I), Au(III) and Pt(II) carbene-type complexes formed from bis(pyridyl)allenes. The catalytic activity of the new Au(I)-complexes in the cylisation of 1,6-enynes, benchmark reaction for new Au and Pt complexes, was comparable to Au(I)-state-of-the-art catalysts used in these reactions. Reactions with the new Au(III)- and Pt(II)-complexes ocurred under milder conditions than the reported with AuCl3 and PtCl2.