Gold nanoparticle-catalysed functionalization of carbon-hydrogen bonds by carbene transfer reactions

Abstract

Gold nanoparticles stabilized by NHC ligands and supported onto reduced graphene oxide (rGO) catalyse the functionalization of cyclohexane and benzene C-H bonds upon insertion of carbene CHCO2Et (from N2=CHCO2Et) groups. This is the first example in which such Csp3 or Csp2 bonds are functionalized with this strategy with nanoparticulated gold. This Au-NP@rGO material shows an exceptional activity, providing TON values 5-10 times higher than those already reported for molecular gold catalysts. Recyclability is also effective, reaching an accumulate TON value of 1400 after six consecutive uses