Aerobic synthesis of -sulfonylamidines mediated by N-heterocyclic carbene copper(I) catalysts.

A new catalytic strategy for the one-pot synthesis of -sulfonylamidines is described. The cationic copper(I) complexes were found to be highly active and efficient under mild conditions in air and in the absence of solvent. A copper acetylide is proposed as key intermediate in this transformation.

Hydrophenoxylation of internal alkynes catalysed with a heterobimetallic Cu-NHC/Au-NHC system.

A straightforward method for the hydrophenoxylation of internal alkynes, using N-heterocyclic carbene-based copper(i) and gold(i) complexes, is described. The heterobimetallic catalytic system proceeds via dual activation of the substrates to afford the desired vinylether derivatives. This methodology is shown to be highly efficient and tolerates a wide range of substituted phenols and alkynes.

Homoleptic and heteroleptic bis-NHC Cu(I) complexes as carbene transfer reagents.

Homo- and heteroleptic bis-NHC copper(I) complexes have been efficiently used as carbene transfer reagents to Au and Pd. The simple and straightforward procedure allows for the synthesis of well-known gold complexes as well as novel cationic bis-NHC Pd(II) species.

Copper N-Heterocyclic Carbene Complexes As Active Catalysts for the Synthesis of 2-Substituted Oxazolines from Nitriles and Aminoalcohols.

The reaction between nitriles and aminoalcohols to access 2-substituted oxazolines was investigated. Using copper-NHC complexes, various nitriles were successfully converted into the corresponding oxazolines, under milder and less wasteful conditions than those of previously reported methods.